It's all in the little things.
The word of the thousand meanings, thing, is used more as our vocabulary lessens. Just like our awareness of how our deeds affect the people around us and eventually will create the world we will be living in in the near future. There is no action too small to ignore.
It is a word like "thing" that can be useful in the context of giving the small details, like gestures of kindness, following the rules, being honest, reacting to strangers in need around us and the larger, more difficult attitude by which we live our lives, a common ground where to reconcile.
Today, like many other days in my past, I acknowledged the lack of awareness of drivers as they turn into a road, make a U-turn on the street or pull over to the curb to drop off their children at school. Many of them do not indicate.
Indicating is one of those "things" that seems small but implies so much more.
The tip of the iceberg
Every area has its peculiarities when it comes to driving and, failing to indicate, together with double and triple parking, have created an organised chaos where I live. Most drivers are extremely cautious in the vicinities of a school during pick up or drop off times. It is one of the few occasions in which I admire the patience of the locals, as they refrain from honking the horns they are so prone to using during any other hesitating act by the driver in front of them.The lack of courtesy implied by not indicating is a warning sign. It is equal to other "irregularities" we become accustomed to as we live by the phrase "in Rome do as the Romans". The danger resides in becoming complacent. Once you start accepting that indicating is not necessary, you stop indicating and then, you have become one of them.
Becoming one of them
The masses are normally not aware of the consequences of their behaviour. The world is changing in many ways at an accelerating pace. We must stop and analyse our behaviour regarding the consequences of our actions towards our fellow human beings. It is as important as taking care of our own health and wellbeing. The small things can end up creating a place that is unsafe and unlivable.
If I indicate, the drivers around me will know exactly where my vehicle is heading. Indicators are placed in cars for a reason. They are useful tools that can avoid accidents, in the worst case, and energy wasted wondering where this person is heading, in the best case.
Choose courtesy
Indicating is a sign of courtesy as much as it is useful for safety and avoiding chaos. When you indicate, you are being polite towards the other drivers and you are being a good citizen.
Driving is just one of the actions we undertake regularly that affect our fellow locals. Other are queueing, creating noise, throwing rubbish, recycling, energy usage, paying bills and carrying out your tasks at work or elsewhere. We all have a choice in how we perform these actions in our everyday lives.
Complacency is a dangerous route to take. It can lead to unskilful authorities, foreign occupation and ultimately loss of a nation.
No exaggeration. What are you choosing today?
