I ran across this sketch I did several years ago. I was commuting on a train because traffic on 95 was horrible. I would drive an hour and a half, one way (on a good day!). I gained many a grey hair with that commute. I used to get angry at the other drivers. I soon established a method of coping that I’ll call “Zen driving”. I had a bumper sticker that said “Your anger makes me happy.”
That sticker helped me with my first divorce. It helped me to not be afraid of that angry man I had married.
It also helped me through traffic. Knowing I had that sticker it would make me smile serenely at the angry faces all around me.
I soon started letting go of all that frustration, ego driven thoughts... I had been calling people really awful names in my mind. It affected my whole body. All that negativity.
I went a step further. I started letting people merge when they needed to merge. Some would smile and wave and it felt great. It felt great even if they didn’t acknowledge it. Just knowing I had a little bubble of pleasantness surrounding me.
I was in my happy place.
This drawing reminds me of that happy place and the time I conquered Northern Virginia traffic.
