Recently, pyramid-shaped speed bumps were built on the road to the cottage hubby and I rent for the summer.  One day, a crew appeared and by the time they left, mounds of black tar spanned the width of the road in two places. Mind you, this is a road that sees a maximum of 15-20 cars per day…not a well-travelled road.  However, it is in a tourist area so that may be why…?

Within two days, a bicyclist who attempted to ride over one of them, took a spill and had to be transported by ambulance to the ER.  Even though my husband and I know a bump is there, and we’ve already scraped the bottom of our car on it, occasionally we still forget.  The other day, my husband was driving home after dark and slammed on the brake when I yelled “BUMP!” just as we were about to be airborne. Most of the time, though, we skirt the bump by going around it on the grass, then up our driveway, avoiding it altogether.  Still, it’s a pain. 

Since I’m often sitting at my computer situated right in front of the window that looks out onto one of these speed bumps, I’ve witnessed different scenarios.  I’ve been mulling these scenes over in my mind. I can’t help but corelate what I’ve witnessed and experienced, with the bumps-in-the-road of life.  I’m cruising along when suddenly, I’m forced to a complete stop (breast cancer.) At another time, I don’t see an issue coming until I’m smack dab in the messy middle of it.  (interactions and misunderstandings.)  Sometimes, I carefully maneuver an issue (being intentional in looking for a win-win solution) and all comes out all right.

While I admit to skirting the speed bump on our road, I try not to skirt the issues in my life.  I use to be a die-hard conflict-avoider.  Now, I know that avoidance and denial will only make things worse.  I try to meet conflicts head on and deal with them the best I can, knowing that I will get better at handling “bumps” as I learn from each experience.  Some will be easier than others. Some will have more successful outcomes, but always I will learn something from each one so that, in the end, I will become more proficient at handling whatever comes my way.  That’s the beauty of not skirting, it empowers me to become a person who is capable of handling bigger issues.  Now that’s a win in my book!

~SuZanne
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