Thanks to a Stranger....

This morning when I was on my bicycle, a driver stopped so I could get through their lane of oncoming traffic in safety, and wouldn't be risking my life or waiting till the end of time to turn left. I said silent thanks.

Of course this driver couldn't hear this. It's unlikely he or she will ever know how I feel. 

But rarely is a person so helpless as when facing speeding behemoths massively sheathed in metal. And rarely is an act of civic kindness so anonymous, so pure, as when one of these stops to let a bicycle by. In a barbaric context, there's no doubt about who's got the power. 

I wonder why this driver stopped. Were they inspired by the Twelve Step suggestion to do one secret good deed everyday? Was the driver responding to Jesus' parable of the Good Samaritan? Maybe the driver was Jewish and doing a Mitzvah, the highest version of which is to anonymously give, without having to be asked, in a way that strengthens the recepient's ability to take care of him or herself. Or maybe this driver was Buddhist and driving through town affirming Om Mani Padme Hum, which asks for compassion for all sentient beings. Could the driver have been following Islam which has many categories of good deeds to choose from? Or was he or she spiritual without being religious... or not religious or spiritual at all... Some of the nicest people I know are Atheists and Agnostics who act with tremendous compassion as naturally as they breathe.... because being kind just feels right.

Usually we feel so anonymous in our cars. As though our true selves aren't absolutely obvious from the way we drive.  

I'm not pissed at the drivers who haven't stopped. They might have been in a hurry or maybe didn't see me or perhaps they were having the worst day of their lives. And we all know there're people incapable of being unselfish. People who have no idea why anyone would ever want to be kind. 

But this morning, someone stopped. Someone gave me the chance to turn left. I don't know your name anonymous driver.... I don't know why you helped another human being.

But whoever you are.... thanks.