Road Rage

I get angry

      <p>
        I become angry while driving. Not mildly annoyed, but full-on vein-popping, teeth-grittingly furious. This isn't the exception either. It happens nearly every time I get behind the wheel.
      </p>
      
      <p>
        I'm not normally aggressive or prone to violence. In fact, I'd consider myself a pretty mild-mannered fella. Very roll-with-the-punches, I'd say. And yet, I am consumed with road rage during even the most basic commute. It's not healthy.
      </p>
      
      <p>
        I could relax while driving if people would simply remember a few of the rules we all learned in kindergarten.
      </p>
      
      <ol>
        <li>
          No cutting in line for any reason
        </li>
        <li>
          You are not the only person who matters
        </li>
        <li>
          Don't be such a DICK!
        </li>
      </ol>
      
      <p>
        That's it. Follow those rules and I'm Mr. Happy. Ignore them and I go all self-appointed-vigilante, tensing up and spewing obscenities. I'm not looking for a fight. Honest. I simply feel the need to let folks know in no uncertain terms that they've just made a dick move and should stop doing that. Yelling and getting angry doesn't help, which is something <em>I</em> should have learned in kindergarten. Despite my efforts, people still drive like assholes. The only likely outcome is that I'm going to die of a heart attack or gunshot wound.
      </p>
      
      <p>
        If I can't fix anyone else, I suppose I'm going to have to fix myself.
      </p>
      
      <p>
        For the past week I've been practicing. I smile kindly at the guy sneaking out-of-turn through the 4-way stop. I just quietly shake my head when someone decides that turn signals are too much hassle to bother with. Deep Breaths help.
      </p>
      
      <p>
        So far it's only been mildly successful, and I'm looking forward to the day when I arrive at my destination with unclenched teeth.
      </p>
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