Driving Rant

I was writing this as part of the one about the flute, but pulled it out because it was a distraction.

I am reminded of how frustrated I was while driving last night. I was pushed off the road twice by the same lady in a minivan. A guy drove up the road in the construction zone on 8th east on the other side of the barrels, because he was too impatient to wait on traffic. He ended up having to wait for everyone who was turning right, including me, and many in front of and behind me. I had hit all but three red lights driving up University (which has A LOT of lights) and also had people trying to turn left into the left turn lane hoping that someone would let them in because they didn't have the forethought to plan ahead nor the consideration to take the next left. As I drove past the guy, I honked at him and he flipped me off. I rarely honk, but I did five times last night. I had a headache by the time I got where I was going for the stress that I inflicted on myself due to the events I witnessed and in which I took part.

So when I drive, I think about how I react and others react when we drive. I believe that traffic would be significantly reduced, accidents would be less frequent, there would be less road rage and people would have a much better time driving if everyone, especially those who know better, would not think themselves more important that everyone else on the road. Whose time is more important than another's. Even if you are paid more, or drive a more expensive vehicle or haven't been home for awhile, do you really think that everyone else on the road is just there to be in your way? Do you really have to turn left here or take this exit and perhaps ruin someone else's drive? Is it that hard to accept your mistake, suck it up and take some extra time to get where you are going safely or without impeding someone else's trek? Is it that important to be 20 feet farther ahead than someone else by not letting them in when they use their blinker? Is it that hard to be considerate to others and actually use your blinker?

Maybe now I will get to this point. I don't know what situation the lady in the minivan was in when she tried to push me off the road (twice), then turned into McDonald's suddenly as I was in the right turn lane. I don't know if that guy in the truck had a special need to get somewhere and was as frustrated as I at that time. I try to give everyone the benefit of the doubt, but I get frustrated at how inconsiderate people are. I hope that people will think more of others and give everyone an equal chance when driving. I also hope that people will consider the fact that there is more than one way to get where you are going and if you will miss a turn unless you do something drastic, that you can take the time to prepare for the next opportunity to either take another route or turn around. Life is short enough, we don't have to spend it being inconsiderate or stupid.

Things of Worth

Nine days a ago, a good friend of mine, Annie, having a lot on her mind, as she usually does, was on her way home from school. She had stopped by the Creamery on 9th to pick up some ice cream for a birthday party she had organized for her roommate, Tara. She had her flute in her hand as well as a bag of groceries. According to her, she put the flute on her car roof as she was placing the groceries in her car. She drove off, leaving her flute on the car. When she arrived home, she realized she didn't know where her flute was, as well as what she had done. I showed up to the party after Institute, so I was late. Everyone was in the living room playing a card game and enjoying themselves. I figured she was in the kitchen taking care of things. Another friend of hers who had arrived before me, asked Tara where she was. Tara said Annie was looking for her flute, because she had misplaced it. He called her to see if he could help and found out more of the story. A few of the guests went to help her scour her route home. We ended up looking and putting up fliers until about 2am. So far that is the last anyone has heard or see of it.

I talked with Annie Wednesday for a few minutes. She was still feeling down about having lost such a big part of her life. She has had the flute since she was twelve. It was given her by her Mother. Not only that, but the value of the flute, monetarily, was great. She had, not long ago, purchased a new head (whatever the piece is called that you blow into) which was hand-made in Boston, with gold plating on the inside. This gold plating and the way it was made improves the quality of sound so much that to fine flautists, such as herself, it is worth any cost. It cost almost as much as my first four cars which, if you know me, doesn't mean much, but still. As we were talking Wednesday, she said something to the effect of, "It is something that can't be replaced. It was handmade and there will never be another like it."

I always have a lot of thoughts that flow through my head, which makes it rather difficult for me to concentrate. Elder Oaks was talking about Sacrament and how to prepare for it. He was talking about music when he said that it shouldn't be chosen as a performance to draw attention to the performers. The whole purpose is to focus on Christ. When he said the word performance, my mind started connecting thoughts and memories.

About a month ago, we had Regional Conference. I went with Annie to our old Stake's Saturday Evening Conference Session, because they had asked her to perform, with three others, a beautiful piece of music that was to set the mood for the meeting. They did that successfully. It was amazing on all accounts. They did not draw attention to themselves, but performed as though their gifts of music had been given them to perform that night. The song, sung by a guy with a voice that I only wish I could have, was about Christ. I don't remember the song exactly, a weakness of mine, but altogether it was beautiful and did what the Stake Presidency had asked them to do.

So with that performance, I was taken back to the conversation I had with Annie Wednesday to what she said about the value and uniqueness of the flute, which was lost. The verse concerning the worth of souls (D&C 18:10) followed. I wondered if she had a friend that was also lost or if she held her friends in as high esteem as she did her flute. Then, I thought about how I valued my friends and family. Annie is acquainted with some of the most amazing people I have met. She does her best to make everyone around her feel good about themselves and it works.

Back to my thoughts. I wonder about a lot of things and thoughts just flow through my head at times. So I wondered if she had thought recently about how much value she places on the souls of those she knows, given how hard she has taken losing a possession so valuable to her and not monetarily. I suppose I thought about this, because it is something I need to consider myself. How much do those I know and associate with mean to me? How much do I actually show that? I think I followed this train of thought in order to put it down here. The Sister who spoke today on Missionary work caused me to think what I could do about it and perhaps this is one answer. My thoughts during Conference pretty much kept revolving there as I was trying to listen and keep my thoughts on the next things said.

I need to improve my relations with my Family and Friends. I need to let others know what they really mean to me. I need to show my appreciation for them. Unfortunately, me and feelings don't mix and I have successfully practiced keeping them from others for a very long time, another weakness. Anyway, I know what I need to do, just have to figure out how to do it.