This morning, as I was driving to the office, I was feeling fantastic—blasting 80s karaoke hits and singing my heart out behind the wheel. Pure joy.
But as I approached my exit, I saw an elderly woman holding up a sign, asking for money or help. Instantly, I felt self-conscious about my happiness. Am I allowed to be this upbeat when someone else is clearly having a tough time?
I scrambled to find my wallet, and luckily, I had some cash to give her. I handed it over with a wave, but afterward, I couldn’t stop thinking: why did I feel embarrassed about my joy in the face of someone else’s struggle? Why do I have this instinct to “stifle myself”—like Edith Bunker from the old sitcom “All In The Family”?
Maybe, instead of toning down my happiness, I should have tried to share a bit of those good vibes with her. Realistically, a brief roadside encounter probably wouldn’t have changed much, but it made me reflect on how often I’ve suppressed my true feelings—whether for my parents, at school, in relationships, or around strangers.
You know what? I think I’ll be listening and singing on my drive home tonight—full volume and zero apologies.