Los Angeles is a land of cars. We navigate the world according to their needs.
We make decisions about where we live, work, dine and socialize based on the availability of parking and ease of transit from point A to point B.
We judge our successes and failures based on the quality of hood ornaments and keyless ignitions.
We create a landscape catered to their hunger.
So, when the 405 – one of the most popular freeways in the world – is shut down for a weekend, this town goes into crisis management mode. We are told to AVOID THE ROADS.
And this forced hibernation is an amazing gift.
How would your day change if you were required to remain within walking distance of your home? Would that distance increase from its standard circumference?
What activities are expendable and which ones are necessary?
With which people would you ensure that you connected, despite any hassles?
For me, the forced hibernation makes me BECOME STILL.
The frenzy of errands that must be run STOPS.
The spontaneous decision to drive half-way across town to get that scoop of ice cream I’ll regret purchasing as soon as its been consumed, just because I can, gets SQUASHED.
Instead, I TACKLE that pile of paper that has become a serious hazard in this earthquake-prone city.
I INDULGE in a five-hour conversation with a friend at the cafe down my street.
And I become AWARE of what is necessary in my day and what is simply filler, distraction, procrastination.
Not everyone has a chance to experience the joys of Carmageddon but, with winter coming in the northern hemisphere, many forced hibernations are pending.
How will you take advantage of the opportunities they will present?
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