May we be safe.
May we relax.

Driving in Nashville. Dear heaven. Such a teacher. Forbes recently ranked Nashville as having the worst commute in the U.S. — and I’m a little (if tall) old lady driver.

On Belmont Blvd., the closest city major road to my home, it’s inevitable that cars back up behind me. They frequently tail-gate, even though I’m going at least 5 mph over the speed limit.

So many people in such a hurry. Their driving seems to me an expression of their stress — making me anxious even to remember. And Belmont Blvd. is sedate compared to the other major roads near me (21st Ave. South and I-440).

But here’s the thing…. Three months ago I was driving down Belmont during a period I was actively practicing metta (using loving-kindness phrases). Someone was way too close to my rear end and spontaneously I muttered: “May we be safe.
May we relax.” Then I said it louder. And again.

Instantly I did just that — relaxed. There’s something about wishing other people well…. Je ne sais quoi. But it reminds me of the feeling I used to have keeping my then toddlers out of harm’s way.

Here’s a slightly expanded version (that typically comes up when, at last, I pull into a safe harbor).

May we be safe.
May we relax.
May all of us be free from suffering.