The Passing Lane and the Path to Awareness
Driving back and forth from St. Pete this weekend for my birthday, I found myself grappling with a familiar frustration: people cruising in the passing lane (leftmost lane, for those unaware), completely oblivious to the backup they were causing behind them. It’s such a seemingly small thing to gripe about, but it ripples far beyond a one-on-one inconvenience.
One person, unaware of the lane’s actual purpose, can end up bottlenecking traffic for dozens or maybe even hundreds of others (hell, I should get ChatGPT to run the numbers). It reminded me of how often that dynamic plays out in other areas of life. So many of us move through the world without realizing the impact we’re having. Not maliciously, just tuned out, focused inward, or never taught to consider the bigger picture.
And of course, there’s the flipside to wrestle with: my own reaction. Every time that familiar anger starts to bubble up, I’m forced to reckon with the fact that I can’t control their actions or their awareness, only mine. That frustration, while understandable, doesn’t change anything unless I use it as a cue to reflect. Instead of letting it spiral into road rage or useless resentment, I try to turn it into a lesson in grace. How can I move through the world more intentionally, more aware of the flow around me, and maybe create a little less friction for those following behind?