Stop, Look Both Ways, and Listen

I did my Global Earth Exchange at the junction of two state highways where I had a car accident. I learned after the accident that this place was a dangerous intersection with relatively frequent accidents. Although the accident was over a decade ago, I think of it every time I am at the intersection, which is weekly or more.

Sitting in my truck, observing the junction during the GEX, I began to see the factors which made it dangerous. It is at a low-lying place with hills on either side of the approach that restrict visibility and there is a sharp drop-off on one side. I decided to do my Act of Beauty close to where I had the accident, on the edge of the road under a yellow traffic sign.

I picked up a broken piece of another car’s fender, a few attractive rocks, some asphalt and large white trumpet blooms. Nervously and quickly I arranged them for my Act of Beauty. Then I hurried back to where my truck was safely parked, only remembering then that where I was parked was also where we had pulled our cars after the accident.

I noticed then that the Stop sign near this side road had been struck recently and a temporary Stop sign was in place. I created an Act of Beauty there as well, twining a wreath of flowers that bloomed close by and hanging it around the bent Stop sign pole. As I did it, the words on these bright red signs spoke to me deeply. “Stop, Stop!” (the rushing, and the lack of caring for the Earth.)