500 Words a Week - Don’t Beep at Ambulances

It’s 8 o’clock on a Sunday morning, roads are frosty and there are hardly any cars around. Driving through a 20mph zone on the way the work, an ambulance flashes its lights and sounds its siren. You pull in, allow the ambulance by. As the ambulance overtakes you and travels down the road. A car on the opposite side rushing down the road makes no alterations for the ambulance, not only that but decides to beep at the ambulance. Despite the fact the ambulance has its lights on.

I wrote another blog for today, but this experience made me think. What kind of person do you have to be to beep at an ambulance with its lights on? While I understand that a few situations may be “deemed” more important, but how many truly warrant more importance than a travelling ambulance?

At times we can be so consumed in what is going on in our own lives that we forget to look at what is going on around us. We forget the implications of our actions and the effect they may have on others. We make a passing comment without realizing the ramifications. We get trapped in an “I, me, mine” viewpoint.

A trait I have seen in some wonderful leaders is their ability to listen completely to you while you describe some issues with your situation without passing judgement and sympathizing with your situation. Rather than the all too frequent “yeah but think about my situation, yours is a lot easier compared to mine”.

I am a believer in the thought process that the worst thing that has happened to you, is the worst thing that has happened to you. Even though when you compare what you have experienced to the horrifying experiences others have gone through, it might not feel like a major issue. However, it is still the worst thing that has happened to you and you have had to go through it. Think twice about those who are not sympathetic or supportive of your worst time. Surround yourself with people who will sympathize and support you through your losses, and celebrate with you through your wins.

With this in mind there must still be some conscious thought about the experiences of others, having empathy towards them and understanding their situation compared to ours. Beeping at an ambulance travelling to help someone by no way shows this.