I was at the stop light on 83rd & Maple yesterday heading west. The red light seemed to take longer than usual and of course I was in a hurry. As I impatiently waited, something odd happened; the vehicle next to me (a white SUV) accelerated and went through the intersection. My first thought was that the light changed and I didn’t see it, but glancing upwards the light was still clearly red. Before too long, cars behind the rogue vehicle followed. One by one drivers ignored the traffic light and proceeded. I continued to stare at the light, certain that the other drivers were seeing something I didn’t; but the light was not yet green!
The fifth car stopped; slowly inched forward, then floored it, narrowly missing the car in the east bound lane, now free to turn with a green arrow. The last driver’s hesitation at breaking the law almost caused an accident. I shook my head in disbelief and wondered why do people follow other people who make poor decisions? Safety in numbers?
This isn’t the first time I witnessed poor judgment passed down to others. Everyday I encounter a stop light clearly marked NO Turn on Red 6:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Yet everyday one car will ignore the sign and not only do others follow, but the drivers obeying will often get honked at or be the recipients of dirty looks. How dare we do what’s right when it may inconvenience others!
Bullying is a prime example of taking poor judgment and running with it. One mean-spirited person is all it takes to create groups of taunters and teasers.
I love the Liberty Mutual Insurance commercials which depict good deeds being paid forward. They are examples of seeing good behavior and following with additional acts of kindness. Why can’t more people follow good behavior? Why can’t more people give good examples worthy of a following?
Today, make a conscience effort to do a good deed, an act of kindness. Tell someone they look nice; congratulate a co-worker on a job well-done; tell the maintenance person that the floor they just finished mopping looks great; help someone pick up their spilled groceries; let a waiting car into the long line of traffic; then pray that others may follow your example. Now the hard part: don’t follow someone’s bad behavior! There is too much bad behavior these days, don’t add to it!
The Lord clearly tells us to love our neighbors as ourselves, let’s spread some of that love around!
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