I was driving I-90 across the west and upper Midwest, my first long journey with my new camper. Even with empty water tanks, my van was maxed out as I traveled up and down mountain passes. Most often, on those long uphill treks, I trailed a slow 18-wheeler in the far right lane. Putt, putt, putt. On smaller hills without a truck lane, I pushed along. Sometimes, drivers honked, including those who were stuck behind me because a rush of cars was passing me to the left. Worse, with all the road construction on I-90, the road often narrowed to one lane in each direction, with opposing lanes right next to each other, separated by orange cones. I was a bit intimidated by those 18-wheelers zooming past in the opposite direction, with maybe 2 feet between us. I was learning my camper’s towing personality, so I stayed at the posted speed limit of 45 MPH. When we merged back into two lanes I had a long line of traffic behind me, since they could not pass. Dozens of vehicles finally zoomed past me. Several honked. One offered his middle finger salute. One trucker pulled up next to me, slowed, and blasted his horn. Apparently, I had some nerve driving the speed limit in a dangerous situation.

Three stressful scenarios are present in these tales. First, some people intensely dislike being the lead vehicle with cars trailing behind. Second, an urge develops to strike back at the rude drivers. Finally, towing a camper induces fear in many driving situations. All three stressors, however, have the same solution: stay out of the negative space.

Rude people are stressed people. Their emotion bucket may be overflowing.  The truck driver may be behind schedule and in danger of losing a job. The middle-finger salute guy may have been kicked out by his girlfriend or lost a loved one.  That long line of cars behind you? You have the same right to be on the road as they do. I am traveling and living in my RV, on the way to a conservation camper job in Florida. I am living the life I dreamed about for years. This is my debut into early retirement and those rude people will not steal my joy.

So how, then do we respond? Breathe! Literally, I take in slow deep breaths. I turn on the AC, regardless of the outside temperatures, and breathe in the cool air. This helps me to relax and stay within my own happy space. I also find something in the situation to laugh about, and I never return rudeness. Why? Because I am more interested in harvesting “fruit” in my life than sowing negativity.

Galatians 5:22

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,

goodness, faithfulness

Now, you may not have a spiritual motivation for staying in a positive space. Instead (and/or) you can lean on scientific findings, specifically the health benefits of staying happy and positive. Those who rate higher on certain positive personality traits have lower rates of certain illnesses. In an article published in “Social Psychology and Personality Science”, researchers report that people who were more agreeable, open, and conscientious all had lower risks of developing illnesses such as cancer and diabetes. The researchers found that conscientiousness, in particular, could have a protective effect against health problems. Furthermore, happy people have younger hearts and younger arteries. Happy people recover more quickly from surgery, cope better with pain, have lower blood pressure, and have longer life expectancy than unhappy people. Studies also suggest that happy people may have stronger immune systems. They are less likely to get colds and flu viruses, and when they do, their symptoms are milder.

To my earlier point: when we let others rob our joy, we are spiritually hobbled and can be physically challenged. So, breath the next time you encounter a rude driver during your travels. It’s only one moment in time and you are off to some fun adventures.

Next time: Travel Challenge: Fear

Travels Challenges are filed under Back Road Faith

copyright Rev. Jane Willis, 2106