Traffic Jam – On The Road Or In The Mind?

For many of us, traffic congestion, delay in public transport, missing a flight or waiting in queues are sources of frustration, stress and anxiety. These could be routine, so how we respond each day contributes to our overall emotional health. Whether it is someone’s poor driving manners or a severe traffic jam, let’s accept the moment with stability and consciously stop the stream of negative thoughts. Otherwise we could create 1,000 wrong thoughts in 20 minutes – every single day of travel for decades. Traffic is not in our control and we are not alone. Getting upset isn’t going to make it go faster. Let’s either re-schedule or re-route our travel. Or let’s use the time to call or text someone, to relax, to take a nap or to listen to music. Frustration that begins at traffic typically carries into subsequent scenes of the day. Our bad mood continues, shows up with people and reflects in our work.

Individually and as a society we are all taught that speed is important in order to accomplish more in less time. So we do not always let life move at a pace it should. We do not also have patience for people who are not our way. Driving and travelling are scenes where our urgency and impatience take over. Take a moment to teach your mind to go with the flow today instead of getting stressed about things which it cannot control. Create positive thoughts of calm as you travel today. Even if traffic on the road takes time to clear, the traffic of thoughts in your mind should not pile up. Teach your mind the art of remaining calm even in chaos. Finish gradually the vocabulary of Irritation is obvious. The energy of peace and patience created will carry on to your subsequent scenes as you enter your workplace or home.