Thursday, March 12, 2009

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Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Stay in your lane

Stay in your lane

Many of us travel the highways, side streets, and byways, busily pursuing our next destination; oftentimes, unconscious of the roads we actually travel on. Many of us feel like driving a car is much like riding a bike; once you know how, you never forget. So we meander along the roadways never really mindful of the road itself. We are ofttimes far too busy driving defensively, ensuring that the people around us ‘stay in their lane’, while simultaneously ensuring that we ‘stay in our lane’. We seldom enjoy the trip itself; preoccupied with the monotony of traveling. We rarely note the beauty of any given day; acknowledge the privilege even of having the ability or wherewithal to even travel. Mind you, the primary focus is on staying in your lane, regardless of the surroundings or the circumstances.

There are a variety of markings actually on the road: broken lines, solid lines, straight lines, not so straight lines, and lines of different colors. The markings on the lanes of the road represent a double ant AndrĂ©, or dual meaning, if you look closely enough. For example, on a multi-lane road, like a highway, the broken white line separates each lane. Now, the inconsistency of the line says to the driver that these are lanes that you can pass in. The broken white line is a signal that you can change lanes. You have permission to no longer stay in your lane, but move to a lane of your choosing. Maybe you will make this choice because the lane you’re traveling in is moving too slowly. Maybe you decide to change lanes because there is an exit coming up that you plan to take and you simply need to move closer to it to successfully navigate your exit from the roadway. Maybe you choose to change lanes simply because you have that choice. Regardless of the reason for the decision that is made, once you make it and maneuver the lane change, you must right yourself in your new position and then stay in your lane.

Some of the more major highways actually have little raised reflectors that precede the broken white line. These raised reflectors serve a dual purpose. The first is a visible and audible notification that your vehicle is crossing over to a different lane. You are moving out of your lane. You see the reflectors, but more than that, you hear your vehicle actually traveling over these reminders. Sometimes these raised reflectors are extended so much higher than the road, that when you cross them, your tires position changes, thus changing the position of your vehicle – at least temporarily. The second purpose of the raised reflector is more evident at night, when the roadways are dark. The reflectors provide little hints of light; reinforcing the lane one is in, and notifying of the distance to safely navigate a change in lane.

If you notice, there are times when even on a multilane roadway, the typically white broken lines are solid. The solid white line is an indicator that at that particular juncture, you are not allowed to lawfully change lanes. You are, then, mandate to remain in your lane. Those white lines are also a marker for the outside right lanes of most major thoroughfares. Once again, the solid white line is an indicator of your inability, despite your desire to stay in your lane. Conversely, on the far left, there is also a solid line; however, more times than not, the solid line on the left is a very strong yellow color. Interestingly enough, the coloring of the yellow line is much like the coloring of the traffic signs that provide information to a traveler as they maneuver down the road. You know the signs. They read things like, caution, yield, merge, turn; directions to assist in safe navigation of the roadways. The solid yellow line actually on the road, is a visual indicator as well. Once again, this marking does not avail the driver the opportunity to choose a change of lane. It is imperative that the driver in that particular lane refrain from moving particularly to the left. Failure to abide by this solid yellow line can land one in a ravine or a median, or in oncoming traffic. The solid yellow line is a staunch reminder to stay in your lane.

Now because a number of highways have commuter lanes, the line preceding the commuter lane, or immediately next to the commuter lane, can be represented by a double broken line – sometimes with reflectors, and sometimes not; or there can be a solid and broken line. Regardless of the specifics of the markings, one thing is clear – you know visually and sometimes audibly that you are moving into a lane that has a special requirement. Only if you have more than one passenger in the vehicle, are you even able to traverse in this special lane. If you are riding solo, you don’t have the commuter lane as an option, and once again, you must, stay in your lane.

There is one more thing that is critically important to note. Whether it be the shoulder or the median, there is another road marking that bears mentioning. If one inadvertently crosses the solid white line on the far right hand side, placing the car off the intended road, there are often linear raised asphalt rows that cause a terrible racket notifying the driver that they have traveled off the beaten path; that they are no longer in their lane. Similarly, these raised asphalt waves can be found on the far right side of the ride, again indicating significant departure from the prescribed roadway. What’s interesting about this roadway marker is that it is not a different color, so visually one may not be cued. The cue or indicator comes audibly and is physically manifested in the disruption in the vehicle when these ‘warners’ are crossed.

So what of the double ant Andre’? What of the deeper meaning? May I suggest that the oft traveled roadway can be seen as a visual representation of one’s spiritual journey? We all have a path, a lane, with a destination in mind. Sometimes we are very mindful of our travels, and other times we are unconsciously moving, with little thought to the route. Maybe it’s a route we have taken numerous times, and are operating on automatic pilot; simply moving – moving but without intent or intensity. Some of us may be very focused on staying in our lane, driving defensively; becoming increasingly defensive when another traveler veers too close to our path, putting our travel in jeopardy. Regardless of whether we are purposeful in our traveling, moving aimlessly or operating to protect our lane to increase our chances of safe travel, we are all traveling on this spiritual roadway.

Let’s take the broken white line. As previously mentioned, the broken white line indicates ones ability to change lanes – to choose another lane. The traveler is empowered to make a choice; whether it be for convenience, change of direction or a change of pace, the ability to choose is readily available to us. This is much like the execution of free will. What’s important to remember though, is once we have made the conscious decision to move lanes, we must then right ourselves to travel safely in the new lane – to stay in our lane. As long as there are broken white lines, we have the ability to change lanes as many times as our heart desires, or is deemed prudent for our journey; as long as the traveler continues in a forward motion, they will continue on the path to reaching their desired destination. Now, some would argue that repeated lateral moves or frequent lane changes prohibits forward movement; thus slowing forward momentum. That may very well be true. One has to consider whether expedience or continuous movement is preferential. It may very well be a personal choice.

As with the regular road, the spiritual road also has raised reflectors that serve a dual purpose. The raised reflectors provide a visual and audible notification of movement into a different lane. When the road is dark, the reflective quality of these road markers provides little hints of light; making it even more clear the lane one is currently traveling in, and notifying of the distance necessary to travel to successfully navigate into a different lane. Little hints of light – reminders; that sometimes small voice that aids in choosing. Some call it conscious, while others note it as their Higher Powers way of gently getting their attention; maybe to remind them of their current path and the rightness of staying in their current lane, or maybe as a means of gently cautioning the changing of lanes – not prohibiting movement, but gently warning with a visual and audible reminder.

The solid white line is a clear indicator of an inability to lawfully change lanes. To move contrary to the law may put the traveler in grave danger. Even if the solid white line is crossed, consciously or inadvertently, there is still the raised linear ripples or hard waves, yet another increasingly significant reminder that further warns the traveler that they have traveled off the intended path. Not so much a visual warner (faith is the evidence of things not seen), but a definitive audible and physically manifested warning of significant transgression from the desired route.

The strong solid yellow line, bearing the coloring of information is a much more forceful (if you will) reminder of the importance on staying in one’s lane. Failure at this juncture to do so may prove fatal. There is often no place to go when the yellow line is crossed – no additional road that will bear the weight of the vehicle – no room for additional maneuvering. The yellow line can be the precursor to hitting the concrete median or traveling into oncoming traffic. Even if crossing the yellow line proves not to be fatal, there is significantly increased risk for serious damage; from which there may be no recovery.

And what of the commuter lane? Remember, you must meet specific requirements in order to travel in this lane. Have you noticed that even when traffic is at a standstill in all other lanes, the commuter lane seems to move faster, with fewer obstructions in travel? This is not a lane for those riding solo; independently moving along their desired path. No, this lane is for those who are riding with a partner, a someone else. Now that someone else may actually be the driver, or they may be just riding ‘shotgun’, but they are there; prominent, and easily detected. Isn’t it interesting that just having that someone else in the vehicle, on the path with you is enough to gain access to this special lane for travel?

So, what of your travels? Are you traveling along a prescribed course with a specific destination in mind? Are you changing lanes? Are you mindful of your course of travel, heeding all the warnings and being reminded by that small still voice? Are you riding solo, or do you have a partner riding shotgun’; availing you the privilege of riding in the special lane? Are you enjoying the trip? Are you staying in your lane?