There is a profound message in ‘each’ vehicle honk

Vehicle honking is a classic example of an expression of one’s emotional state in public. It has become part of any motorist’s life in our country. In-fact, a best friend when one is driving, second to none.

A thought stuck to me, while I was honking my car a few times on my way to the office. My line of thinking was of its usage for other purposes over its designed purpose.

Our usage of the vehicle horn over the decades has changed drastically and mostly used to show our impatience, lack of discipline, and irresponsibility. Each one of us at some point while driving would have experienced and expressed the aforesaid emotions.

“What started with the intent of safety to pedestrians and animals on roads or pathways when the horseless carriages were invented in the 18th century has outgrown its purpose across the globe. Now there are legitimate rules and regulations of using the same in various countries.”

One of the reasons that strongly attribute to this behaviour could be the reflection of our mindset that is tuned to the competitive world that we live in.

• The world that promotes getting ahead of the curve amidst fear, insecurities, social injustices
• The world that is craving for attention and exhibition
• The world that lacks showcase of traits of lacking respect for each other

This mindset is ingrained such that, even in a piece of equipment like a horn in a vehicle which is designed for the safety of the environment is being used to express our conditioned mind’s unfriendly behaviour.

To relate this behaviour with me is no rocket science and does not need a scientific proofing as I am experiencing it in real and represent millions of similar people’s mindset.

On the same day, I happen to converse with a few of my colleagues about Dr. King’s famous “Life’s blueprint” speech on October 26, 1967, to a group of students at Barratt Junior High School in Philadelphia. This was in our weekly huddle and featured as a brief motivational topic.

The essence of that powerful speech can be summarised as follows:

• Believe in yourself, dignity, worth, and feel “somebodiness”. Always feel that you count, have worth, your life has ultimate significance
• Be the best and strive for excellence in whatever you do
• Everyone has a responsibility to make your country, society, and self a better place, environment and individual

This narration is taking a simple action in our day to day life to reflect upon the mindset which is not congenial to any transformation that is good for all of us. And how fitting is Dr. King’s life blueprint essence for pondering upon and to follow the three guiding principles?

Remember the next time when you honk outside of its purpose, there is a hidden profound message to fix your “Life’s blueprint”.