I was just in Canada for the first time in my life. Alex and I celebrated our 14th wedding anniversary, and we decided to spend it in Seattle with a quick jaunt for a couple days up in Vancouver, BC. We honeymooned in Seattle, and I haven’t been back since. Since two of our favorite delicacies are seafood and coffee, it’s kind of an ideal destination for us.
But Canada, man… What a place.
First observation...
As an enneagram 9, I think I’ve found my people in Canada.
But a deeper observation (I have many observations about Canada that I’ll save for later posts)...
Everyone drove right around the speed limit (sometimes a few mph over).
It was a little slow for me. I religiously drive at least ten over. I noticed how agro I was getting (my not-so-healthy 8-wing was showing, as it often does when I’m behind the wheel). For a minute. And then I realized, Holy hell... I’m on vacation in one of the most gorgeous places in the world (Vancouver, BC). We have nowhere that we need to be. Why am I in such a damn hurry? Why can’t I be like a Canadian and just... go the speed limit?
So I did. I surrendered to Canadian composure.
After a few minutes of discomfort and steering wheel gripping, I settled in.
And it was incredible.
A new spiritual practice
Now that I’m back in the states, I’ve been trying to bring a little Canada back with me, especially as I take to the road.
I’m making it a spiritual exercise to go the speed limit (give ‘er take a few) everywhere I go.
Such a simple thing, but oh-so difficult for a compulsive speeder like me. When I notice my hands start to hurt from gripping the wheel so tightly and I recognize the carnal urge to murder the person in front of me, I’ve been trying like hell to stop... Breathe… And go back to Canada in my mind. Sometimes I’ll even say it out loud as I sigh and rub my tight chest…
Ahhhhhhh, Canada1. (My new mantra.)
I’ve noticed that my long commutes (I live in rural Northern CA, and am at least 45 minutes away from pretty much everywhere) are much more enjoyable. And, low and behold, I’m never late.
Another observation...
In the US highway system, there are only two speeds that work. You can either hang out in the far-right lane and go 50 mph in a 65 zone. But as soon as you leave that slow lane, you’d better be going at least 15 over if you don’t want to get run over.
Both lanes
are completely
insane.
And isn’t this a perfect metaphor for our country? You’re either hard left or hard right partisan-wise. You’re either a fundamentalist Christian or a staunch atheist. You’re either woke or anti-woke. I could go on (and on).2
I SOOOO want to be done with the speeding. I so want to be done with the one-side-or-the-other way of being.
Take me back, Canada.
Take me back.
I could go all-in and say, “Ohhhhh, Canada,” but I haven’t gotten citizenship yet 🤪 (trust me, I’m tempted to put my paperwork in).
However, I will say... I think we act more polarized online than we actually are in our day-to-day lives when we’re in the same room as physical humans.
Delightful way of approaching an often serious problem, Jonas!
Your driving style is identical to mine... and so I had to laugh at the perfect description of myself behind the wheel of a car. I also have attempted to correct the problem in the same way you did, and with similar results... except the other drivers where I live are nothing like the Canadians in their ways of driving!
I am totally with you in all that you have expressed here... and so I thank you!