As I was driving to work this morning I got to thinking (I really need to start walking to work again). Weird things happen when I start thinking. And this was no exception. I have had this thought before - -
What makes people stay within the lines of their own lane when they are driving? Seriously. What makes people obey traffic laws (besides the fear of getting caught)? What makes people drive with the flow of traffic, instead of against it? Or to stop when the light is red, or the sign says "Stop"??? Now, I realize that some people like to flirt with danger and actually speed up so as not to have to stop at a red light. And I'm from California, so I know all about those California stops. But, seriously - - unless you have some physical ailment (heart attack while driving, for example) or some mental handicap (craziness, for example) that might draw you to the other lane of traffic, or onto the sidewalk or off of a bridge, what keeps us on the straight and narrow path, so to speak?
And not just in our cars, but in our lives generally? Everyday when we wake up, we have choices to make. Our lives are a series of choices - - on the highway as well as in life, some choose to break laws and do harm to themselves and to others. Most, however, choose to obey the laws and do good (thankfully). Why? Well, as I was thinking about it, I came to this partial conclusion - - civility. And conscience. I think we are all born with an innate sense of civility and conscience - - of what it takes to be a good person. It's part of our DNA. Some people lose that along the way for whatever reason, but most recognize it and nurture it and realize that we as human beings are much happier when we choose to do good and follow our consciences.
Anyway, those two "C" words were my thoughts this morning. Maybe I shouldn't drive to work anymore. By the time I got to work I was already so tired of thinking! I think I should go home and take a nap.
