Quiet Like A Prius

A few days ago I was pulling into our parking lot for work downtown. It’s not a large lot, usually full, so I was just trying to get to the nearest empty spot. There were three people walking to a car, I’m assuming to get supplies or whatnot for their office. However, they were walking in the drive passage between the cars. I pulled into the lot as the were already walking, so I was directly behind them. I couldn’t go around so I just had to wait until they moved. But they weren’t moving. They were just standing in the middle of the lot blocking me. I started to get a little worried that they didn’t care I was there. I felt the anger started to bubble a bit - I know, I’ve been working on that. But then one guy turned to look around and was a little shocked that I was right behind them waiting.

Then I realized - they couldn’t hear me.

One of the benefits of having a hybrid Prius is that it’s real quite. Then I realized they couldn’t hear me and that they realized they weren’t paying attention. So they moved and I passed. I love my quite car.

I want to be more like my Prius - quiet and stealthy.

I’m trying to live up to that. The name Paul means small and humble. I would say I’m 80% small and 80% humble. That’s 160% of something. but I need more quietness, stillness, solitude.

In my journey of trying not to be so stressed and anxious, angry and frustrated, and on edge - I’m learning to stop and be quiet. To breathe deeply. To live in the present moment - not to be stressed about the past or anxious about the future. Just live in the now.

It’s ok for people not to notice me like a quiet Prius.