grim23 | Extreme Spirituality

Tonight, on my way to Lodge, I was clipped in my pickup truck by a red Honda Accord. I was turning right from a turn lane, a block from Lodge, and although I looked and signaled, I didn't see him, probably because he was driving too fast. The accident was my fault, because I was turning from the turn lane, and he had the right of way. Fortunately no one was hurt, although I was shaken up a bit. The Butner Deputy who responded to the scene was a Mason from Franklinton, and he was helpful in making sure I was OK. There were no citations issued, and neither of us will lose 'points' on our driving privileges. The other driver's front left corner was severely damaged; I have a ding in my fender and a small dent under the fender. Many of the Masons from Lodge saw me by the side of the road, and the Worshipful Master delayed opening Lodge until I got there to check and make sure I was OK, and they even saved me a plate of dinner.

In the past, I would have been very angry at myself for not seeing the other driver. In the past, I would have been angry with myself for my increased insurance rates and my small dents in a beater truck. I would have been angry with the other driver. In the past, I would have been very angry with myself for being late to Lodge, and for delaying and causing concern among the brethren. I would have held onto that anger for hours or days. I would have held on to that anger, denying even to myself that I was angry. Of course, those who know me well would know that all that anger was there, and that it was really fear.

Now? I find myself being aware I have an opportunity to practice compassion and gratitude. I feel compassion for that other driver and his family, who had their peaceful evening disrupted by having to have a traumatic accident experience, and a damaged car, and for the brethren who were wondering if a Brother was hurt. I'm grateful no one was hurt. I'm grateful that we both have insurance. I'm grateful I still have a drivable truck. I'm grateful I got dinner and was still able to attend Lodge. I'm grateful I have a fraternity of people, and friends who are reading this, who care enough to care.

Perspective? Things happen. I was not aware enough of my surroundings, and neither was he. Anger, especially self-anger, is not effective. Although I am still tense, and physically sore, I am not angry. I'll breathe away the tension, and heal the physical body, and not make it worse. I'm practicing being emotionally detached from those things that emotionally dissipate my energy and keep me from reaching a higher level of energy.

So, I'm focusing on gratitude and compassion. A lesson for both drivers, perhaps, but especially for me.