6 MOGO Things You Can Do While Stuck in Traffic

A few months ago I was stuck in traffic. Again. Fortunately, I'm blessed to be able to work from home, so I don't have to deal with traffic jams on a daily basis. But whenever I need to run errands or get to an event or pick up my husband from work, it seems as if I'm in the midst of rush hour, regardless of the time of day -- and I don't even drive on highways most of the time.

So there I was, sitting in traffic, fuming, because I'd rather be elsewhere, when it occurred to me that that's where I was, and I could choose how I reacted to it. I could decide to spend my time and energy differently. So I started thinking about what kinds of MOGO things people could do while stuck in traffic. Here are 6:

1. Renew your commitment to drive less and think creatively about how to do it.
Despite looming peak oil, the U.S. economy being in intensive care, and all problems associated with driving, it's still the transportation option of choice. According to the latest Urban Mobility Report, our love affair with the automobile costs us enormous amounts of time, productivity, money, fuel and more, not to mention the contributions to global climate change, habitat destruction, health problems and other ills. If I put a little effort into it, I could take care of most of my errands by bike. It's better for me, for my pocketbook and for the planet. Most of us have opportunities to carpool, take public transit, bike/walk or find other means to get our needs met.


2. Talk to the person you're with.
It amazes me how I can sit in traffic for long periods of time and not speak to the person next to me. What's that about? Not that talking is required, but it's good to connect with others. Ask your kids about their day. Have a silly conversation with your spouse. Consult a friend for advice.

3. Enjoy the scenery and/or learn your neighborhood.
The scenery thing depends on where you are. There's often not much to look at if you're surrounded by concrete and asphalt. Still, I sometimes make it a game to see what bits of the natural world I can find amidst the artificial around me. Flowers in planter boxes. Squirrels or crows hanging on the wires above. The colors in the sky. If that's not an option, then take time to learn your neighborhood. Usually we're zooming by, our attention (rightly) on the traffic around us. But, when we're sitting still, we can look around a bit and notice things we've never noticed before. I've found several small businesses I'd never noticed until I took the time to look.

4. Meditate.
You don't have to close your eyes to meditate (and you shouldn't if you're in traffic). Whenever I'm feeling stressed, it helps me to take a few moments to focus on my breathing, to think calm thoughts, to visualize places and people that bring me joy, to repeat a positive phrase. I always feel better able to cope when I've done so.

5. Sing a song.
Yeah you probably have the radio and your mp3 player to do that for you, but try singing a song on your own sometimes. It's fun, and all your bopping and jamming will bring a smile to the face of at least one person watching you from another car.

6. Think positive thoughts about the people around you.
Most of us need all the positive thoughts we can get, so why not send some out to the people around you while you're waiting for that light to change? Wish the little girl in the car next to you a fulfilling life. Hope that the person yelling in the car in front of you finds peace. Send out to the universe a desire for an end to cruelty and suffering.


What MOGO choices do you make while stuck in traffic?

~ Marsha


Image courtesy of N-O-M-A-D via Creative Commons.

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