It’s almost Adar, so I am going to be a shtikel Purim torahesque.
Maasei Chol (everyday activities) tell a lot about a man (or woman). In fact, I have heard various sayings similar to “you can see who a bochur is by how he plays basketball.” Is he sort of go through the motions (well everyone else is playing so I am going to mozy up and down the floor), does he ballhog, is he is selfless, is he aggressive, does he shot long jumpers instead of use his energy to drive – I could continue)
A normal person who commutes to work by car spends a good time of their life in a car. It’s a tremendous time to gain great middos, talk to the King (but don’t do it too oddly), and learn some Torah (via tape – don’t try to daven and drive…well not too often). It also can be a good time to relax – some good music, interesting news, or talk show. The reason why people have road rage is because they feel their drive is in a between time from where they were to where they are going. In fact, it is b’etzem an activity b’fnei atzmo (by itself). It should be treated with thought and positivity. It’s not that people who are honking like mishugoyim are bad people c’v. They are not who they are in the car – but the issue is they don’t feel they need to be who they in the car. That’s an issue.
There are so many great car activities. That’d be a great thread to m’chazek the time spent in the car, and go k’neged the poor middos some people do have behind the wheel.
DQB