Speed bumps and gratitude

Speed bumps were recently installed in my neighborhood. 

Ten evenly spaced speed bumps now line the thoroughfare that I navigate every morning on my way to work, and along the drive to my kid's school. The street that I orbit several times per day, dozens of times per week. 

At first the new addition slightly annoyed me because, well- speed bumps are jolting and they slow you down.

I started to notice that a LOT of people seemed annoyed by the speed bumps. Over and over again, I observed the way drivers would slow down at the speed bump, and then race full speed ahead, and then slow down at the next bump, and then speed away again. They obviously found these traffic-calming tactics to be bothersome too.

Shortly after the addition of the speed bumps, I happened upon an article that said pedestrian deaths in Portland have increased substantially this past year, and I felt like an asshole for having been annoyed.

My annoyance quickly turned to gratitude. Gratitude that someone cared enough to install safety measures along the road where my kids and their friends tootle about on their bikes, and where I walk my dog nearly every day.

Gratitude that someone was paying attention. 

I realized that my distracted, busy neighbors and I were missing the point.

The intention of speed bumps is to force us to pay a little more attention to our surroundings, and to take a little extra care.

And if that isn’t a lesson that our society DESPERATELY needs right now, then I don’t know what is.

The feverish pace of our world isolates and disconnects us by keeping us preoccupied with never ending tasks and to-do-lists. It’s harming our individual and community well-being.

Being constantly busy starves us of the ability to be attentive and caring citizens: It takes away our commitment to, and time for, engaging in causes and projects outside of ourselves.

Busy-ness takes away our space to think deeply. It takes away our ability to see the issues we're facing, both locally and globally. 

Numbing ourselves with busyness allows us to disconnect from what’s happening. (BTW Numb and busy is where those in charge like us to be.)

Like so many of you, I’m living in confusion and complexity lately. The world has changed over the last few weeks, and it feels so incredibly heavy. 

If you too are reeling from the pain of events much bigger than you, I send you so much love.

Let this be a gentle invitation to slow down enough to notice your surroundings. Pay attention to the issues that need attention. 

Let this be a reminder to take life's speed bumps at their intended pace.