Separating Privilege from Entitlement – ParkNews.biz May 11th – 17th, 2021
Separating Privilege from Entitlement – ParkNews.biz May 11th – 17th, 2021
“What separates privilege from entitlement is gratitude.” ― Brené Brown
Life lessons from the humble, undervalued curb: This week on ParkNews.biz the featured story has to do with the curb: May 17, 2021 – Poor Curb Management is Costing Cities Billions.
“we’ve undervalued our curbs for decades. Most are designed and managed only for parking, or what we call the “analog curb.” And even then, we often fail to get it right. Most cities don’t price on-street parking based on the true value of demand or cost recovery, and they inadequately enforce regulations like parking time limits and loading zones.”
“Curb space has become an undervalued free-for-all, and cities are leaving billions in revenue on the table — revenue that could not only fund parking operations, mobility infrastructure and improvements, and even general services.
Now is the time to change that. Coupled with increasing digitalization, growing curb demand trends, and the convergence of pandemic-related parking revenue loss, cities should be motivated to rethink and improve their approach for the dynamic future of the “digital curb.””
“Free for all” comes to mind when most of us think about the curb. However, as the article shows, nothing in life is free except perhaps Grace. Low priced on street parking in the cities, cheaper parking than off street, can create traffic jams, pollution and more. Beverly Hills, CA is perfect example. There are some meter spaces on Rodeo Drive or Beverly Drive or cross streets. Parking at these meters is inexpensive but always occupied. If you are just going to pick something up from one of the boutiques, especially these days with the call and collect services available, it is impossible to find a space for just 15 min for this pick up. However, Beverly Hills has numerous off street garages and most of them offer 2 hour free parking. Yet, a stroll or the walk is involved. Are the on street spots always taken because of perceptions? As that the garage prices are higher than on street spots? At least in Beverly Hills if you can manage getting in and out in two hours, parking in one of those city parking structures costs you nothing and you earn a bit of lovely, much needed exercise and self reflection. So it is a win win for everyone in involved.
What Brene Brown says about gratitude being the key factor taking us from entitlement to privilege resonates high especially today. I am privileged. Privilege is beautiful. It is God’s Grace. It is a privilege to be alive. To take each breath. It is a privilege to be, to have faith, to work, to love, to honor and to create. Grace is given to us freely. “But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace.” – Romans 11:6. Thus, we appreciate the value of This Grace and this privilege and we don’t take it for granted. We work harder, do better and don’t expect anything for free including parking. Yes, I was born privileged and so were you. He loved us first.
Which brings me to this story: May 17, 2021 – Trader Joe’s drops mask rules, but many customers keep them on: It’s ‘too soon’. I was in my local Trader Joe’s on Sunday. I entered with a mask. A friend who works in the store knowing I am fully vaccinated asked, do you know Astrid that if you are fully vaccinated you no longer have to wear a mask inside of Trader Joe’s? My answer was a question: In Los Angeles, CA? He said yes. Thank you Trader Joe’s! I ripped up my mask said thank you to the Lord and danced. For too long before pandemic I took facial expressions for granted. For too long I was not fully present. From now on, I want to drink in every grin, every smile, every wrinkle of anyone I see. However, I respect everyone’s individual choice to wear a mask or not. To me what separates privilege from entitlement, is appreciation indeed, which stems from our humanity. Humanity that can only be palpable and relatable when it is unmasked and at its full, glorious, open display.
I am grateful to be able to see your smiles and frowns at PIE 2021 in Dallas, TX.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Astrid Ambroziak
Editor, ParkNews.biz
Creative Director
Parking Today
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