Maintain Your Peace

In New Jersey, you can turn right on a red light except if there is a “Do Not Turn on Red” sign present.

I was at a red light with a sign clearly in view reminding me, “Do Not Turn on Red”. As I waited for the light to turn green, I heard the person behind me laying on their horn.

That driver eventually swerved around me, slowed down, and gave me the middle finger!

I immediately noticed how calm I was.

I wish I could say my reaction was because I am a wise, mature, and enlightened person, but the reality is that my morning routine of taking time to “get my mind right” helped me keep my cool that day.

Over the years, I have started my day by reading or listening to something uplifting.

I’ll never forget the words of one speaker I listened to one morning, “People can be like dump trucks. They need somewhere to dump their negativity and frustrations; don’t take their reactions personal‼️”

That day at the red light, that woman clearly needed a place to dump her anger and I just happen to be on the receiving end.

It can be easy to react in those situations, but I strongly believe setting a positive tone for your day can help protect your peace throughout the day.

As I sat in my car, I remembered that positive message I previously heard. Recalling that people can sometimes be in dump truck mode, helped me to reframe how I saw that driver. Here is some of what I said to myself that kept me calm:

“We just came out of 2020, one person gave you the finger and so what. Girl bye, there are so many people hurting right now and looking for somewhere to dump their hurt and pain. Extend that woman grace and loving-kindness. Her anger isn’t about you.”

Well, my internal motivational coach tightened me right on up.

I am sharing this because intentionally setting the tone for your day is important. There will always be situations that frustrate us, but I want you to consider creating a positive morning routine that can help preserve your peace throughout your day.