I used to hate waiting in traffic, muttering and moaning to myself. Now, I’ve come to love stop lights. How did this miracle occur? A few years ago, I wanted to find a more positive mindset on our frustratingly slow streets. Radio music or news often added to my stress. Around this time, I discovered the elastic exercise band, used to strengthen arms. Two feet long, it easily folded into the small open slot in the door next to the driver’s seat.
Now when stopped at a light, frustrated at the wait and critical of what the other cars were doing wrong, a light bulb goes on in my head. Aha, I think, I can use this time to strengthen my arms, which badly need it. Over the years, I’ve let several gym memberships lapse because I didn’t like the noise and crowds. And I’m not disciplined enough to work out at home. Although I placed weights at strategic locations around my apartment, I’ve become adept at ignoring them.
Lucky for me there are a lot of stop lights in the world. At each one, I grab the elasticized strip, pull it this way and that, exhausting my arm muscles. I don’t keep track of repetitions or numbers of sets; it all depends on the traffic light. When I finally move forward, I feel satisfied. Perhaps, with the exercise my body produces endorphins. As I drive on, I feel happier. No more road rage for me.
The other day, while looking in the mirror, it shocked me to see a little bit of my bicep muscle. I burst out laughing. The amount I exercised in the car seemed negligible. I hadn’t expected visual results. I guess waiting at all those stoplights added up.
Real Life – Real Laughs:
Humor When You Need It Most
Cate Burns’ thirty-eight non-fiction stories of heartfelt humor explore society’s foibles and personal snafus with insightful zingers that will delight readers. Burns casts an unstinting, cock-eyed look at personal change, friendship, sanity and courage.
“Absolutely LOVE the descriptions in this work. Very, very, very clever and, dare I say it? -unique. This is refreshing, funny, inventive and delightful.” -Sharon Whitehill, Ph. D.
