and then

It occurs to me that there is a great deal of hurry up in the world. That we've lost the appreciation of life that moving at a less frantic pace encourages. So many seem to need to be first or even just ahead of the other guy. We've all seen it; the car or truck cutting in and out of traffic, scarring us half out of our wits when it's our turn to be cut off, then being able to trade dirty looks and rude gestures when we pull up beside them at the next set of traffic lights. Don't they realize that the few seconds they've gained are no match for the risk they pose to themselves and others on the road? The big truck that speeds by me on the highway in the winter, stirring up clouds of snow and causing white knuckled panic in my vehicle because I can't see and have no idea if I'm still on the road. If I crashed they wouldn't even know, or care, most likely. It just seems that slowing down a little, smiling once in a while, acknowledging that others use the roads too and have a right to do so; all these things would contribute to a less dangerous experience when we venture out on the road.