If you had a freeway billboard, what would it say?
If I had a freeway billboard, I would not waste it on a generic motivational quote. There are enough of those, and nobody stuck in traffic has ever been improved by one. I would aim for something that makes you chuckle, ponder one of life’s great mysteries, and possibly feel a little inspired, in that order.
Here is what my billboard would say:
“You’re not just a human, you’re a human doing something. Like, breathing. That’s something, right?”
Beneath this profound and slightly silly statement, in smaller letters, I would add a more serious message:
“Believe in yourself, even when you’re not sure what you believe in.”
Why this particular combination? Allow me to break it down.
- The Silly Message:
- It is a reminder that we are all doing our best, even on the days when our best is surviving until evening.
- It invites a little self-deprecating humor, which is a great stress reliever and costs nothing.
- It quietly challenges us to find meaning in the mundane. Breathing counts.
- The Serious Message:
- It is simple, and it works on almost everyone.
- It encourages self-belief in times of doubt and uncertainty, which is exactly when it is hardest to find.
- It is a gentle nudge to keep moving forward, however small the steps. In traffic, the steps are very small.
The pairing of humor and inspiration is intentional. It reflects the human experience, which is a mix of joy, sorrow, absurdity and profound meaning, often before lunch.
So the next time you are stuck in traffic and you see my billboard, I hope it brings a smile to your face and a small spark to your soul. If it does neither, at least you had something to read.
