Dallas, I’m sure, is no different than most other big cities, everyone urgently rushing to get to wherever it is they’re going and do whatever it is they’re doing. Whether that’s rushing to work, school, home, or heading to meet friends, it just seems that too many people are always in such a rush common courtesy is practically forgotten on the roads around town. Yes, I despise driving the Dallas freeways. I drive in rush-hour traffic about nine hours every week, 450 hours each year, coming and going to and from work like hundreds of other Dallas office commuters.
We’re all in such a rush we can’t be delayed by anyone. In recent years, Dallasites have been shot on the roads and freeways for driving too slowly.
While that’s at one end of the courtesy spectrum, occasionally you’ll see the opposite. We’ve all felt those moments of kindness that generate a smile and nod, or a thank you waive for being courteous to your fellow drivers. I’m referring to an expression of common courtesy extended towards perfect strangers (a rare trait today) that would otherwise be someone else in your way. Random acts of kindness like helping the elderly couple stranded on the side of the road or giving up that close parking spot at the mall on a rainy afternoon are seldom seen.
I’ve had the opportunity to experience all of these this past weekend and witness other simple acts of common courtesy and kindness towards perfect strangers on the roadways around town. Perhaps it is the spirit of the holiday season or some trying to “Pay It Forward”, as spelled out on the back window of a pickup truck seen on my way home the other day. There was just something about that pickup truck, the driver, and the way he was driving that made me think.
We should all practice a lot of “pay it forward” and not just while driving on the roadways. It will eventually come back around to you.
Wishing you all a safe and happy holiday season of “Pay It Forward.”
Jay
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