In the Blink of an Eye

So, I was on my way to yoga, feeling all mellow. It was a beautiful spring day. The orange trees have started to blossom and the air is sweet with their fragrance. And, at least for now, it seems like the “check engine” light coming on in my car last night was a false alarm.

There is a four way stop at my corner. I even mentioned it in Hooked on Murder. It’s the intersection that Officer James was hanging around looking for people who ran the stop signs. I wish he had been there tonight.

I stopped and noted both streets were empty. As I moved forward to make a left turn, a car roared out of nowhere, and flew through the stop sign to my left. I slammed on the brakes, but was sure there was no way it wasn’t going to hit me. In the few seconds, it was like time slowed down. I managed to note there were two boys in the car. Either teens or twentish. The car was dark gray and too expensive for them to have bought it with their own money. Somehow our cars never made contact. They continued on, not slowing for a moment as they rushed on down the street.

Shaken and muttering to myself about what I thought of the driver, I continued on my way. As I drove on, I realized I had a choice. I could stay tense and preoccupied with what had almost happened. I could keep feeling angry that not only did they go through the sign, but didn’t even have the sense to slow down after they almost hit me.

Or I could look at it the other way. I could be thrilled that by some miracle they had not hit me. I was okay. My car was unhurt.

I chose the latter. I let the whole thing go when I got to yoga and surrendered myself to the class. By the time we’d done our final relaxation, the whole episode had moved to the back of my mind.

I can’t control what happens, but I can control how I take it.

Have you ever had a near miss like mine? How did you feel afterwards?