Road Grace: Use it Daily to Relax Your Nights​

Seattle is also growing uncontrollably. Over 1000 people each week moved here during the last census year. This city has miles and miles of bumper-to-bumper traffic most every day.

Overgrowth of humans – is that human-oma?

I’ve decided Seattle has not only human-oma but also car-cinoma (hah!?). And that can lead to Road Rage.

I especially get riled when someone doesn’t pay attention to me in my car – though my childhood relationship with my mother probably has something to do with that!

While I aim to wave all my fingers (instead of just one) when I’m mad, I don’t say “gosh darn” or “gee whiz” as I seethe at the drivers inside my car.

What is that stupid [blank] driver doing??!! And THAT blockhead?? Watch out, dimwit!

But anger only riles me up more. Road Rage builds on itself.
It’s not fun while driving… and it may not end there.

What does Road Rage have to do with your nights?

Sometimes when you go to bed, you don’t recognize why it’s hard to let go. But if you’ve been wound up during the day, tension lingers in your body and mind.

Could be the lingering Road Rage that has wound you up.

Fortunately, I discovered a way to balance Road Rage that not only helps my driving, it also reduces stress at night.

I call it Road Grace.

Counter to Road Rage: Road Grace

Once a car messes up, I stay alert for more numskulls behind the wheel. That feeds a cycle of stressful driving!

However, a good thing happened when I was stuck in a traffic jam one day. I realized I needed to balance the irritating stress of driving with Road Grace.

Road Grace is noticing good things on the road, instead of being trigger-happy to notice the worst.

When there’s no one in the car to hear me, I’ll say things like:

“Good job staying in your lane.”
“Excellent braking.”
“Oooh, a turn signal to change lanes, I like that!”

It’s amazing how fast Road Grace changes my presence and mood. Driving actually becomes – can I say it? – rather enjoyable.

I’m more serene when I arrive where I’m headed.

And more serene headed to bed.

Practice some Road Grace and Bed Grace

Try out some Road Grace yourself when you’re driving home from work, on errands, or picking up your kids from school. But don’t stop there.

Take a moment of “Bed Grace” before turning out the light, acknowledging what you’re doing well:

“I’m glad I walked at lunch.”
“I remembered to take my medicine today.”
“Way to go, me, for setting kind and clear boundaries with my co-worker!”

How we handle our nights and days go together. Let’s aim to rest into the best of ourselves in both.

Wishing you graceful nights,

Sondra