Navigating Traffic and Life with Empathy

Yesterday, I was driving down a two-way lane surrounded by shophouse when suddenly, a SUV in front of me slowly came to a stop with its emergency blinkers on. The lane we were in was right after a T-junction, so I also stopped, causing other cars to wait behind me.

I wasn't sure why the SUV did that until I saw an elderly woman with a cane slowly coming out of a nearby restaurant, followed by another younger woman heading towards the SUV. It seemed the driver was waiting for his mother (or grandmother?) to get into the car. The restaurant faced the main road, and it was a tight spot, giving few options for the SUV driver.

I waited for about a minute, but then cars behind me started honking. They couldn't see the old woman struggling, of course. By then, both women had nearly reached the SUV, but the honks must have startled the older woman, and she hastened her pace, clearly struggling with her cane. The younger woman with her gave me an apologetic look.

As the SUV pulled away and the honking got louder, cars on the other side also stopped, making the area more congested. In all the commotion, a passing motorcyclist yelled angrily at the SUV driver. The whole thing lasted less than three minutes, but it felt much longer given the traffic.

Who was at fault? Was it the SUV driver, the honking drivers, or the motorcyclist? There are different perspectives to consider, and each person involved likely felt frustrated, angry, or helpless, especially the SUV driver. Personally, I felt sorry for the old lady, imagining myself in the SUV driver's shoes.

Reflecting on this, I remember a recent incident where I felt unfairly accused, which made me realize how different perspectives lead to different conclusions. Maybe, in that situation, I was like the SUV driver. Nobody was at fault; it was just the circumstances. Perhaps I could have handled the situation better, but some things were out of my control.

In life, clashes of different perspectives happen often. Handling them calmly and respectfully can lead to better outcomes. Be it on the road or elsewhere, considering others' perspectives can reduce unnecessary conflict. We can always be more mindful of managing situations and be open to different viewpoints.

That being said, the world is full of differing opinions, and everyone arrives at conclusions based on their experiences. You can't please everyone, therefore doing your best, making peace, and moving on is the best way forward.

When facing such situations, prioritize your mental health. Understand that not everyone will see things your way, and that's okay. Embracing diversity of opinions while being open enough to disagree amicably can make us a more understanding and inclusive society.

On that note, I aim to improve.

#stuffleosays"

*the opinions expressed here are strictly my own and does not reflect the views of my employers.