My drive to work is about 50 minutes each way. Although I do not to particularly enjoy the trip, it gives me a lot of time to think, reflect, and work on post ideas for my Steemit blog.
Over the last few weeks during my commute, I have encountered a formidable foe - FOG. A small patch of fog is not bad, but extended periods of fog can be very dangerous.
Fog (noun): a hazy, cloudy layer of water vapor very that hovers close to the ground. (source)
Like Driving With Eyes Half Closed
A few weeks ago, I was on my way to work when I drove into a very dense patch of fog. Visibility was extremely limited. And as best as I remember I spent more than 20 minutes driving through the fog.
I felt like I was driving with my eyes half closed. I had to strain to see. A commute that I do not particularly enjoy become something that I hated. I felt like I was immersed in a thick, consuming blanket with no way out.
That's how life is sometimes (at least in my experience). I sometimes face obstacles and challenges that seem to engulf me. In those moments I find it difficult to see clearly, breath deeply, and move freely.
Fearing The Fog
Let's fast forward to this morning. The traffic was heavy as I attempted to pull onto the highway which gave me plenty of time to see dense fog both to my left and to my right. I was in a clear spot. I was safe, but my thoughts ran back to a few weeks ago.
My mind was racing with questions.
- Will I be able to see?
- Will I feel claustrophobic?
- Can I drive safely?
- Will other people be able to drive safely?
- How long will the fog last?
There was a brief moment that I thought about returning home and not making the drive. It was only a brief moment, but my fear of the fog almost changed the actions I would take today.
Why Do We Fear The Fog?
In a literal sense, fog is a hazy layer of water vapor that stays close to the ground. But for me, the idea of fog can represent a myriad of challenges and obstacles.
Fog limits what you can see.
Fog blocks what we see and how we see it. Fog may not fully restrict your line of sight, but it will hinder it. There are challenges we face on a daily basis that do the same thing.
One of the first things that happen when I face a difficult obstacle is that I lose perspective. I try to view life from both a long-term perspective and short-term perspective. I want to be thinking about the future. I want to dream big. But I also want to make sure that I am attending to matters that are important today. I want to make sure that I am focusing on people that are important to me.
But when the **"fog" sets in, I only focus on the things right in front of me. The fog causes me to view life through a negative filter. It amazes me how the challenges of life quickly change the way I look at the world.
Fog slows you down.
Obstacles slow us down. They impair the speed at which we deal with simple, everyday tasks. We can either be frustrated with "fog" and give up (like I tried to do), or we can take a slow, methodical approach to the challenges we are facing.
Slowing down is not necessary a bad thing. But many of us hate having to slow down. We love to be busy. Maybe the obstacle you are facing is an opportunity to slow down and recalibrate. Maybe the "fog" is a chance to re-evaluate your life, goals, and priorities.
You may need to slow down but never stop. Never give up!
Fog creates disorientation.
The obstacles we face have an impact on how we live and think. When we are constantly bombarded with battles, our minds do not think clearly. We need to acknowledge that our decision-making skills and reactions/responses are impacted by the challenges we face.
Disorientation resulting from the battles is normal. It happens to everyone. So it is better to acknowledge it instead of denying it.
Call for help when you feel disorientated. Let someone else support you and give you a new perspective. Give yourself time to find your way.
Fog increases the likelihood of collisions.
When we face the "fog" we tend to stumble into more obstacles. Murphy's Law is the idea that "whatever can go wrong, will go wrong." (source)
That is how I feel when I am in a fog. And when I feel that way, I tend to create a self-fulfilling prophecy of sorts. Watch out for objects that are moving around in the fog. Not only are challenges lurking in the fog, but there are also other people moving around as well.
Even when it is hard to see, even when you feel discouraged, take steps to prevent causalities. Staying alert, slowing down, and watching for opportunities decreases the number of collisions that take place.
Final Thoughts
We can't avoid the fog. At some point in time, it will slow us down and create difficulties. How we choose to respond to the fog is totally up to us. Will you let it stop you? I hope not.
I want to hear from you. Feel free to answer any or all of these questions in the comment section below.
- Have you ever driven in the fog?
- What is an obstacle or challenge you are facing right now?
- Is it slowing you down or has it made you completely stop?
- How are you overcoming the challenge you are facing?
Thanks for stopping by!
@SumatraNate
Image Source: https://pixabay.com/en/forest-fog-nature-winter-trees-547363/
It is true. In the face of uncertainty when we can't see what's going to happen to us, we tend to get rattled and act impulsively. We as humans, lose all sense of patience when it comes to the uncertain situations which life puts us through.
We all must learn to realise that time changes everything, whether you like it or not, and with time, all fog shall clear up. One way or another, a problem is going to solve itself with the passage of time, and your slow consistent actions.
I realised this a few days ago, and right now, I'm making plans which call for certain little consistent efforts within a frame of ten years. It wasn't easy growing this patience, but life sure is worth taking slow and enjoying all the tiny little things which we tend to miss otherwise.
For most of my life, I have not liked change. I have experienced so much change in the last 2 years that I am trying to change my perspective on it. It will come and I can either fight it or flow with it.
You are right that making those small, measurable efforts really adds up to make a big differnt. Blessings as you move forward!
Mengendarai dalam kabut membuat kita lambat untuk mencapai tujuan. Kabut diibaratkan tantangan dalam kehidupan. Kabut akan membuat kita kesulitan bahkan kadang-kadang harus berhenti. Saya tidak akan pernah berhenti jika saya mendapatkan kabut, tetapi saya akan berusaha berjalan terus walaupun pelan, karena saya yakin akan mencapai tujuan saya.
Berusaha terus. Jangan berhenti walaupun ada halanga. Semogo sukses!
Even though I do love fog especially with cool light for photos, it is interesting as you so well express how it can make one feel a bit uneasy especially if driving through it on roads you may not be so familiar with
I guess fog can be apart of a complex love-hate relationship. There is much to enjoy about the experience when stationary, but not as enjoyable when you are moving.
Thats a good way to describe it :)
saya setiap pulang kerumah mertua saya selalu melewati kabut di pengunungan jalan berliku, saya biasa menghabiskan waktu selama 30 menit berkenderaan dalam jarak pandang yang kadang hanya 10 meter, saya sangat menikmatinya, saya suka melalui tantangan nya,,:))
Wah! Jaraknya tidak jauh tapi efek kabut sangat besar.
Fog is pretty terrifying, only thing that was worse for me while driving was very heavy rain with wind in the dark, I could feel the car counter steering while going very slow.
Otherwise, on the metaphorical level I completely get it, humans have a tendency to perceive thing in a negative light leading to wrong decision, whenever I have those issues it's good to sleep them off and start with a cool head.
This is a great point. We should try to not make quick, irrational decisions. When we are not thinking clearly, it is best to step back, cool down, and recalibrate our perspective.
The fog creates insecurity and some fear, we usually fear it because it clouds the vision and then we begin to doubt where we are heading at that moment. If in the day it's a problem, imagine yourself at night...
Absolutely. We focus too much on the destination, rather than on the journey. Once, you make peace with all the roads you've already been on, what's left, is to decide the way forward. And like all things, slow and steady is the only way to progress.
Agree! We fear what we can not see and what we do not understand.
The one thing to remember is that the fog is no match for the sun! We also have severe fog in a place called Belfast and whenever I drive in it I remember that the sun is on it's way! The same with our problems in life! Faith plays a big role in my life and the fear of God has replaced all other fears! Blessings!
Love this point. The sun always overcomes the fog. Agree that fear of the Creator triumphs fear of His creation.
Interesting concept of an article! Very creative!
QUESTIONS
ANSWERS
The fog should always slow down. Because they do not look forward when driving.
That is some pretty dense fog. Wow!
😱😱😱😱😱😱 love the photo ....looks mysterious😍👌
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A very thought-provoking post! I have driven in fog many times, but there was one particularly creepy time. I'd just travelled quite far for a therapy session for a phobia which I'll probably write about another time. I was feeling quite emotional, and probably shouldn't have been driving. I took the back roads home, a route I know very well, but I took a wrong turning and ended up on a single-track road. There were no other cars around, and it was very remote. Suddenly all this fog started rolling in. I felt quite freaked out by it! But I managed to get home in one piece.
Your post also struck a note with me, because when I was running my own business a few years ago, I was working very long hours. Most of the time I felt quite happy and upbeat, but every now and then - 3 or 4 times a year maybe - I would suddenly feel overwhelmed with a dark, depressive feeling. I'd have no energy, and I'd think gloomy thoughts, like "I'm no good, I always fail, I just want to crawl into a hole..." etc.
After a while I started to notice that these small depressions, which never lasted more than a day, were always followed by a burst of creativity and ideas. I started to recognise them and see it coming. It was as if when things were tough, my mind would go into retreat, as if it needed a bit of quiet time so that it could gather some new ideas.