What Would the Dogs Do?

We’re a long way from Kansas, Toto.

If you’ve never crossed a street in India, forget everything you know about crossing a street. Forget the sidewalks, the cross walks, stop signs, stop lights, and “right of way” rules. Because they are almost nonexistent, crossing the street can seem unfathomable; a dangerous trek accomplished only by confidence, courage, and luck (and possibly a touch of insanity) amidst the nonstop stream of cars, trucks, motorcycles, and auto-rickshaws that barrel down the streets at breakneck speeds. The rarely found stop light may flash red, but it doesn’t mean the traffic will stop. Driving head on into opposing traffic is fine if it’s the shortest route between two points. Even the sidewalks aren’t spared as motorcycles zoom up behind you hoping to take a detour off the main road and move a little faster.

What I find fascinating is that despite the chaos, there is actually order to be found. Pedestrians march right out into oncoming traffic to cross the street and somehow never get hit. The right of way seems to belong to whoever believes they should have it.

After a whole month in India the traffic still both intimidates and overwhelms me, so I guess I have more work to do. I still see myself as vulnerable to the adverse effects of being run over by a truck, so to get across the street I huddle up behind the largest herd of pedestrians and hope for the best.

What’s more amazing to me is the street dogs. Mangy, scraggly dogs that seem to thrive just about everywhere, live out of dumpsters and meander through the crush of human and automotive traffic. Such small helpless beings would seem more vulnerable than I am, however they know how to function in this chaos. They are completely aware of everything, yet undaunted by any of it. They expertly navigate even the busiest street. They sleep on the sidewalks, the sides of the road, sometimes even in the middle of the street where every oncoming vehicle manages to swerve around them..

There’s a strange beauty in observing these dogs and their ability to accomplish what they want– all while enjoying life to its fullest. How do they do this? It’s like they have a mindful presence they carry with them keeping them grounded. They remain steady, constantly moving forward, and unapologetic in getting what they need and the space they take. They believe they have the right of way.

If Flipping the Script is all about how to change the way we look at ourselves and our characters in our own stories, this week I’m asking myself, “What would the street dogs do?” What are the metaphorical streets that I am trying to cross but holding myself back from? What “right of way” do I need to believe I deserve in life before I can actually get it?

Is it time to flip your script in some way too?

Onward!

Daisy