Just Another Car on the Road: Your Generosity Is Hurting Me
Driving is difficult.
Not the actual act of driving. That part’s easy. Once you’ve got the hang of braking, accelerating, and keeping between the lines, it becomes second nature. No problem.
But the spirit of the road—that’s where it gets tricky. It’s those nuanced situations that seem small on the surface but leave you questioning everything. You know the ones.
Let me give you an example.
On this particular day, my bookings are packed. If anything—even slightly—slows me down, it’ll create a domino effect that wrecks my entire schedule. I’m talking about the kind of day where if I don’t break the sound barrier, catch every green light, take the perfect route, and somehow sidestep Atlanta traffic, I’m done for.
In other words: I’m late. I’m late, I’m late, for a very important date. No time to say hello, goodbye, I’m late, I’m late, I’m late…
One of those lates where the only way to recover is divine intervention.
And wouldn’t you know it, my miracle arrives. Cops are blocking traffic for a wreck and they wave me through—me and nobody else. The interstate opens up like a red carpet. Vrooom. I’m back in the game.
Then comes the kicker.
My destination? Just off Buffington Road. And if you’re local, you already know—there is no smooth entry to that ramp. It’s notorious. Traffic backs up for miles. Cars line the shoulder like ants in formation, waiting their turn just to inch forward. The shoulder is technically for overflow, allowing South Fulton-bound drivers to pass through without obstruction.
But the car in front of me clearly doesn’t have anywhere to be. Either they’ve made peace with the daily mess, or they just don’t care. One by one, they let cars from the South Fulton lane cut in front of them. Wave after wave of generosity.
And here I am—watching every one of those “kind gestures” eat away at the seconds I don’t have.
I get it. Be kind. Let someone in. Pay it forward. But right now, your generosity is hurting me.
Isn’t that just like life?
We’re told to value utilitarianism—greatest good for the greatest number—but what happens when the “good” for the many delays the need of the one?
Today, I’ve got things to do. I’m not saying I’m against helping people. But at some point, even the good-hearted have to draw a line.
So yeah—I pulled into the South Fulton lane and went around the guy.
This is Ralph. And I’m just another car on the road.