Use Your Blinker Not Your Finger
“Stay in your lane” is a phrase that people use to indicate that others have left their area of expertise or influence. It is a bit of a weaponized phrase, because it is intended to limit what others can or should do. I personally find it troubling, rude, condescending, and inappropriate. People can have passions, opinions, influence, and input into the full spectrum of the human experience. When we attempt to limit people to a single lane, we not only limit a person’s expression…we miss out on the beauty of diverse thought and experiences.
I am aware that my sensitivity regarding the phrase “stay in your lane” has to do with my personal proclivity to change lanes. If it were not obnoxiously pretentious, I would refer to myself as a bit of “Renaissance Man.” (FYI…t is obnoxiously pretentious to refer to oneself as a “Renaissance Man” and my previous sentence is so obnoxiously pretentious that I would love to remove it, but my pretention will not allow that.) I enjoy dabbling in philosophy, art, literature, music, rhetoric, politics, religion, entertainment, and more. It is frustrating when people try to assign me to one lane. A thoughtful person can offer contributions in a wide variety of fields.
Over the years I have written nonfiction and fiction, worship music and love songs, funeral services and comedy routines. I understand that juxtapositions can be jarring. People who only know of me in one way might be surprised when I create something outside of their expectations. As a communicator, I always want to be respectful of the audience. I long to communicate truth, art, beauty, mystery, wonder, and joy effectively so that people are enriched through what is shared.
My creative style is more about thought provocation than merely thought conveyance. My goal is to challenge, stimulate, and inspire. Thought provocation only happens if the intended audience is willing to engage in what is created. Changing lanes without warning causes the audience to hit their metaphorical breaks, lay on their horns, and offer some unsavory words of advice regarding my seemingly erratic lane changing.
Out of love and respect for people, I try to remember this phrase: “Use your blinker not your finger.” I do my best to avoid abrupt lane changes. I will still change lanes, but I like to let people know what is coming. This mindset helps me avoid accidental conflict and reduces confusion and stress in others. Using my metaphorical blinker has massively decreased the number of “stay in your lane” type conversations I am forced to have. Simply giving people a heads up that I am changing lanes allows me greater freedom to try new things and communicate in different ways.
The “blinker” is a way of saying, “Hey…I’m coming over into this lane for a little bit, and I don’t want to cause anyone distress.” The “finger” however is no good. The finger accuses. The finger is rude. The finger does not respect people. The finger signifies arrogance and a disregard for others.
I encourage you to change lanes from time to time. Do not be afraid to join a new group, offer a new perspective, or challenge preconceived notions. Change lanes but remember to use your blinker not your finger.
