Moving Past Fear and Regret

I drive to work, stop and go,
Amid aggravating people doing outrageous maneuvers;
Rude, stubborn folks not minding their own business,
Cutting sharply, in and out, while racing
To their egocentric destinations,
Or poor, mindless fools traveling far too slowly -
I tell myself that I must be too afraid to share the road...

I arrive at my office,
Sluggish from the tiresome commute,
But attentive and dutiful. 
Yet again, I am risking opening e-mails,
Subject lines and memos all with the teasing bitterness
Of the possibility of lay-offs and reorganization.
I am prepared to stumble through each day,
As it might be one of my last -
I must be too fearful to share the plight of the unemployed...

Yet, I tell myself, I've been in many a fender-bender,
And been laid off from every job I've lost.
That which seemed far away was inching regrettably closer,
And in each instance, came rushing upon me with
Incredulous and dire impact,
Ripping my life apart for several weeks at a time,
While repairs were made and a new job was found...
I have finally learned the unique and heartfelt lesson
From living with fear and regret all these years:
Keep taking chances,
For personal growth and a better quality of life,
Now, and in the future!