The Majority...

I've often struggled with believing that not driving is a huge weakness.Almost like I'm less of a person if it isn't the best thing for me to try and stay in my lane, and steer my way from one place to another. No question, in our society today, the ideal way to get around quickly is to drive, usually. But what did people do before cars, anyway? Hmmm... If my information is correct, then, Karl Benz invented the first modern automobile in 1886. Now, there were apparently many different attempts before then at motorized transportation, but basically, people began learning about driving about 127 years ago. And considering that we then had to begin to master new industries, like oil, gasoline, DMV offices, auto parts, etc., I would guess that driving, as we know it, has only been around for about 100 years.

Let's see, so in about 6,000 years of creation, we've been driving cars for only the last hundred. Six thousand...one hundred. Six thousand...one hundred. Gee, I figure, in not driving, I may not have ONE thing in common with the people around me today, but I fit in great with THOUSANDS of generations of people before the last hundred years. Wow. I remember high school...the overwhelming wait that a teen goes through before they can drive (haha :). Will it ever be OVER?? Course, my experience was different, in that, I began discovering that it's better for me not to drive. I took driver's Ed. and got my pink slip. I went and took driver's tests, and failed them...and then passed, and got my permit. I took driver's training, which was difficult to pay for. But actually, I learned, that I could get in a car and drive...I just really shouldn't be. Now, the reasons that I really shouldn't be driving don't need to be disclosed here. The point is...I am suddenly DEFENITELY part of a huge MAJORITY...rather then a minority.

Good grief! I mean, I usually feel awkward because I think I'm so different...I seem to stick out like a sore thumb. The fact is, most people in all HISTORY have never driven! The irony is...all of the sudden it's dawning on me that I am quite privelidged because I HAVE driven cars! I just never got the license, and then shelled out all the money for a car...which is very practical, because I could never afford it anyway! I'm just living in a time set apart, because for the last few generations, people have driven...so this is the the majority that I have always seen, and wondered why I couldn't be a part of it. But as I've explained...I have been part of it as well. Only the last three generations around me have driven anyway. My grandmother, my mother and my younger siblings drive. My great grandmother did not drive. She could have, she just didn't. It's actually four generations because I skipped my own generation. But still...four generations in all HISTORY?? That's it. So,I would say, those of you who don't drive, I would say, take heart! We are actually in excellent company! I It's just hard to see this reality because driving seems to certainly be the norm today. It's only been a very short season of very rapid changes...changes that can leave someone who has to ask for rides, feeling like they have not gained independence.

I think, for the first time, I'm just gonna say I'm not worried about it! :)

Unexpected...

I hadn't been to church in a while...truthfully, in a long time. A friend of mine had said to me that I could let her know any time, and I could ride with her. I missed everything. I missed my friend's. I missed the fellowship. I missed my connections with people I truly cared about...and I know they care about me. A couple weeks into it, my friend mentioned to me that she was glad I'd gotten in touch with her, and asked her to start coming again. Apparently she'd been missing church lately, and would always regret it afterwards (you shoulda gone...You shoulda gone. That type a thing.)

My friend said she knew that because she was picking me up, it was a sure way to get her there too. I was pleasantly surprised! I was so grateful because my friend was helping me...but I had no idea that I was helping her too. What an amazing thing! Here I was just hoping that picking me up was not an inconvenience...even though I'd been assured that it was no problem. I never thought that someone else might've "needed" my need. My way of thinking is always, just learn to handle everything yourself and stay out of the way. But God (I feel) wants us to relate and share with each other. He has ways of keeping us still and then placing us right in someone's path at just the right time! :). Sometimes, he let's us struggle just enough until we ask for help. Anyway, I love little surprises like that! If I'd had a car, it never would've happened. :)

Safety

I tend to over-react, and over-correct. It's just a fact. Neither of these are safe when dealing with the many hindrances of driving. I also tend to get emotional easily. Some people use driving to clear their head, I know; but when I was taking driver training in my early twenties, sometimes the process just made me want to cry. For me, walking is a much better stress reliever. Not to mention, you can feel the wind on your face, and there is no need for gas money. Hey, I'll go with that!

Useful...

As much as insurance has sky rocketed...I don't have to worry about it. I also don't have to worry about it doubling or trippling if I'm in an accident. This is an anxiety many people face (and I've not heard one person say they enjoy it). And as I've said before, getting rides with people keeps me in company and gives me a chance to talk. As into myself as I am...this helps a lot. There are other people out there whose interests are different Han mine...When I ride along with them, I can see what they are, and find something new to be passionate about.
Sometimes, running errands with people is a cooperative effort...I mean, I might be keeping drinks.from spilling, or reading the map, or keeping restless kids down in their seats. This is all important...especially when a driver can't get to these things, and it prevents accidents.
Sometimes...it's keeping the driver awake. How many times have I come back from Disneyland in the middle of the night? Kudos to all passengers who have kept that driver paying attention!

Closer

If I didn't't depend on other people to help me get around...would I talk to anybody? Seriously. I'm la loner. Which isn't a bad thing. But who wants to ripen and then rot? I mean, people need SOME socialization, you know? Sure, some days I wanna hide under the covers and not come out--and I quite enjoy it. But weall need to connect with another human being once in in a while. If I drove everywhere--chances are this would be just one more thing I would do alone. And then I'd stil be alone there too. Rides are a chance tre-connect. Just for a little while, I can talk with someone and find out what' s going on with them.

"How can I pray for you?"
"Maybe we can do lunch."
"So, how did you do on that test?"

This gets me out and keeps me in the know (Even if it's just a little).
Besides that...it's something I can afford. No car payment; just gas money where it applies.
This helps someone else every once in a while.
Good conversation and some laughs, an encouraging radio show...and it gets me where I need to go.
Why not?

Different

When I spent a semester in England, my friend I was living with told me that she'd like to just get rid of her car. England is a completely different and wonderful culture. Their refrigerators aren't half the size of ours, and they don't eat "leftover's" all the time like we do. They walk to "the shop" and get groceries for one meal, rather than one week (and Costco?...what's that??). They have street markets with fresh produce (it won't last more than a couple days), They have a lot less room for vehicles and much better public transportation than we have. Besides, their fuel is much more expensive. Wow, I got on great there! I walked everywhere and was encouraged to use the Bus system and the Underground.
My friend explained to me that with her kids grown and out of the house (and the fact that she really doesn't drive so much anymore), she didn't have much desire to hang onto her car and keep paying for the gas. I was intrigued by this. Where I live...you are very strange if you do not have a vehicle!

No Wheels

When I was in high school, I took Driver's Ed like most students. Driver's training wasn't offered, of course, and I didn't have money to pay for it. I got my pink slip like everyone else...but secretly, wasn't thrilled with the idea of driving. How do you say that? I mean, EVERYBODY wants to drive in high school, right?...it's like the gateway to independence, right?

But secretly, I didn't... I was scared. What if I hit somebody? What if they hit me? What if I injure or kill them? What if someone else injures or kills me? None of my FRIENDS were worried about these things, and if they were...I didn't know about it. Long tory short...I'm in my thirties now, and still don't drive. My family always said (as long as I can remember)that cars were too much trouble. My dad told me that as soon as I got a car... all I would do is pour money into it. I think he was right. Ever since I got that pink slip at fifteen...I've needed money I didn't have... driver's training, insurance payments, car payments, repairs and gas, smog checks, tags...

Oh, wait a minute...I don't drive...that's right! So, none of the above applies to me. I've always been bothered by this...I guess it's because gaining that "independence" of having a car wasn't just a "normal" part of my life like all my friends. But not everybody drives, and in some places, it's actually encouraged that people don't have cars. Hmmmm-- maybe there's more freedom to NOT driving than I realize. I thought I'd look into it a little and put some of my thoughts down... but if you don't drive, I'd like to know your thoughts. If you ENJOY not having a car... I'd love to hear about it. Let me know... what do you think?