The Speed Limit
By: Christina Lynn Dufour
An on ramp bears entry to the fast track, a multi-lane road where drivers can push their limits, getting to any destination in less time. That is of course without congestion, in the stop and go of clogged lanes. I notice on this particular route there are three lanes. From early training in learning to drive it’s already clear that each lane has its own designation. Drivers know these to be labeled as the slow, travel, and passing lanes. Every so many miles along this route a sign shows up to remind travelers of the limit to speed in which they may travel without potential penalty.
Entering onto the three lane stretch, immediately my foot lays on the gas pedal with more pressure. The speed of my car increases as I enter the first lane and consider the space available to switch over between dotted lines. This entry point brings me into the ‘slow’ lane and I want out. Transferring over to the middle travelling lane feels great, I’m ready to drive. With the speed of my turning tires continually increasing, I then move over into the ‘passing’ lane. It is here I know I’ll have a greater ability to travel faster than the others and I have a destination where I long to be.
Approaching on the right side, I see while gazing by the other two lanes and cars I’m passing, a white sign. I know this sign quite well, most all drivers should and likely do. Today I take a greater notice of its number. Countless times I’ve driven on this highway before and only in this moment do I realize I am internalizing for the first time the actual limit which is set for my travelling speed. Looking down at my own vehicle’s gauge I see the marker slowly creeping towards 85mph. I like the feeling of driving fast and I’m in the ‘passing’ lane. So it only makes sense I’d be looking to pass everyone, right?
With a limit posted at 55mph and my noticing the 30mph difference, I am then faced with the choice to slow down. Many times I have had the opportunity on this stretch of highway to, ‘slow down.’ Only this time being in a place of presence in the moment, I recognize how easily I disregarded this as an actual choice of mine in the past. I recall the ease of being in momentum, pressing heavily on the gas, and continuing to move along in high speeds beyond the limit. I don’t like limits. I don’t like being told what to do. I don’t like my freedom resting in the hands of others and I like to drive fast. It doesn’t matter to me how others are travelling, so long as they’re not blocking my way of course. You see, I am looking to pass them all out. I am looking to save some, ever so important time.
In this moment I recall a test I had done years before when travelling on this route. My careless need to fly by all other vehicles on the road at the highest of speeds had gotten me a ticket coupled with a hefty fine. In the days after this incident, I decided to do a test. One day I would cruise along on this route at my normal over the speed limit rate of between 80 & 85 mph. Then another day I would drive the seemingly ‘way too slow’ set limit of between 55 & 60 mph. My intention was to discover how much time was actually saved in this process. I recall at the time my findings amounted to only 5 minutes saved on average in total. FIVE minutes! Doesn’t seem really worth it to me to risk a multitude of hefty consequences for the saving of such little time.
I recall also taking notice of feelings I was experiencing around this time when being more aware in my driving. Whenever I would catch myself flying down the passing lane at well above excessive speeds and become present in that moment, it was easy to feel the tension within my body. Often times my hands were braced on the wheel and my posture was less than relaxed into my seat. My eyes were focused on anything that may get in my way so I could prepare to avoid potential blocks. Vigilant eyes kept on the look-out for police who may catch my wrong doing. Anger and frustration easily arose when my high speeds were made slower or stopped completely by other traffic conditions. An interesting state one would choose to reside in, I remember thinking.
There were times I also brought attention to the state which came mentally and physically when keeping to the speed limit and not caring which lane I was in. At these times my body always had ease, feeling relaxed sitting in the driver’s seat. Pressing the gas pedal took little effort and everything from my vehicle to my mind kept in soft motion. There was no need for worry or tension, as without excess speed, I knew there would be more reaction time to sudden road blocks. Many times in presence of this state, I would also find myself smiling more. I would be more present to notice the beauty in nature I was passing by along the way and often bear a soft compassion for other drivers with who I was sharing this road. It’s a great feeling when we can be relaxed in the process of getting to our destination and be at ease without feeling the need to push or try and rush with excessive speed.
Revisiting these previous insights in my mind while becoming present with the current unconscious ability to get into a state of rushing and pushing the speed limit in my car, this time, I chose to relax. I chose to follow the limits posted on my route and I watched as others flew by almost as if to push me right out of the way. I recognized my own ability to slip into habitual states and become completely unconscious to previous lessons learned that should lead me to make changes with every new chance I got. I smiled and felt good knowing that this time I made the change I knew was right and I felt even better knowing I would have the opportunity to try again tomorrow so as to create a new habit.
Most interesting to me is how this illustration can be similar to the way in which we conduct ourselves in life. Through daily interactions on the road we travel, we can become more present. It may be worth considering yourself as a vehicle. First, what kind of vehicle would you consider yourself to be travelling with? That alone will shed a lot of information on how you view yourself. Then, perhaps begin considering which lane you most often choose to travel in. Why do you choose this lane in life? Are you often speeding, passing by all the other vehicles on the road, being unaware of most everything and everyone around you, only focused on getting to your destination? Are you putting disregard into your own wellbeing by the way in which you travel? Do you consider, notice, or interact kindly with other vehicles on the road…no matter what they look like or how they choose to drive? Do you notice your surroundings and/or any of the beauty around you in nature as you’re passing by? What is the state of being that you are mainly consumed in when travelling along your route in life? Is there a better or perhaps more fruitful and enjoyable state in which you could be driving?
On the road of life there are no posted speed limits. We have more freedom in which to travel at the pace we feel we must, to get to our ultimate destination. Without those white sign markers posting large black numbers to advise you in the direction of your presence in the moment, it can be difficult to pay attention. May this be a white and black marker for you, serving to bring more presence to how you drive your life. Whether you want to admit it or not, in your life, your hands are on the wheel and you can choose how you want to drive. Do you drive the car, or does the car drive you?
