Stop Honking

Dear Younger Me,

This may be a silly question:

When was the last time you drove?

Yesterday? Last week? Maybe even earlier today? Heck, you may even be reading this letter in the car right before you start driving.

How about the last time you honked your car horn?

A friend you saw walking by? Hopefully.

But I imagine your last honk stemmed from something negative.

Getting cut off, stuck behind a slow driver, or dealing with someone distracted at a traffic light.

Regardless, I am going to offer a suggestion that may get some push back.

You may disagree.

But keep reading, consider it, and let me know what you think at the end.

It is a suggestion for an action whenever you find yourself driving in a car.

Stop honking.

In all circumstances.

Why? Well, younger me, I want you to create a ripple effect.

A ripple effect in the world…

But more importantly, in yourself.

“Give me a break. This is ridiculous. It’s just a car horn.”

Exactly.

It is just a car horn.

It is just a tiny act.

A tiny act that, slowly over time, can create a massive wave of greater positivity in the world.

How?

Two reasons.

1. It creates more patience within yourself

2. It withholds negativity from being spread into the world.

The first point may be controversial, but hear me out.

I know you’ve been in this situation:

Behind a car at a light when the light changes from red to green…

And the car doesn’t move.

Naturally, you honk to alert the driver to get a move on.

Imagine if you stopped.

“What if they take up the entire light?” “What about the people behind me?”

The world keeps spinning.

You still get to your final destination.

But there is a change:

You became more patient.

Don’t we all need to be a little more patient?

Speaking of which, in doing this, you withheld an angry honk.

Maybe it was at a light. Or, more commonly, maybe you were cut off.

People in this world are already angry enough.

The world is unfair. A hard day at work. Problems with family. A plethora of other instances.

Instead of honking, wave the car through.

Share a smile.

In doing so, you’ll share that same patience. You’ll share that same grace.

And doesn’t the world need a little more patience?

Doesn’t the world need a little more grace?

I think so.

I know you can provide it.

So, next time you want to lay down on the horn…

Don’t.

Just smile and wave.

Best,

Older You