For much of our lives, we have been exposed to construction. Orange cones, yellow tractors, large trucks, and tired looking workers have become every day sights.

We have grown to accept construction as a daily occurrence. From street work to the tearing down of homes and buildings, we have come to expect construction on many street corners in our towns and cities.

Realistically, cities around America are required to spend tax money on city repairs. It is important that city streets and facilities are as safe and well maintained as possible. My concern, however, is more involved with the appreciation citizens feel for their cities. Counties almost force society to overlook the details of the place itself in the process of ignoring the construction.

Small beauties of landscape and architecture become distant thoughts in peoples’ minds as they relentlessly complain about construction sites. The busy, rushed lives of people in today’s world, along with the cities’ growing populations make construction sites areas of stress rather than civil improvement.

Infrequently, if ever, do people take the time while waiting behind a hand-held stop sign to say a word of thanks to the worker holding the sign. Rarely, also, do they notice the beauties of their city while caught up in traffic. People get so overwhelmingly irritated by being held up by construction that they forget the basic etiquette of driving, neglecting not only their roadside manner, but sometimes their driving skills as well.

More often than you would imagine, workers get hit by cars whose drivers failed to pay attention to the road while talking on their cell phones or applying make up in traffic.

Often drivers get so caught up in the terror of being 45 minutes late to an engagement or being in desperate need of a restroom that they unintentionally cause more friction within the traffic area by swerving or tailgating.

Keep in mind, also, that you are not the only person suffering the repercussions of construction delays. Every person behind and ahead of your car is feeling the same anxiety, the same irritation, and the same hurry as you are. Patience is a valuable skill that not enough people practice, especially while waiting in construction zones.

It is also important to recognize the incredible work the men and women in hard hats are completing. These jobs are often inconvenient and uncomfortable, not always in the most beautiful weather, and too frequently disrespected by the public.

Construction workers breathe fumes from cars and asphalt all day, and go home exhausted from standing and lifting heavy things. For people to complain about construction while they are comfortable in their cars is not only ridiculous, but it also shows enormous lack of appreciation and respect for the time and effort the workers are putting into their jobs.

Construction has become a part of our growing and changing world, and there really is nothing anybody can do to eliminate this stressor. Though it can be taxing on your schedule and gas tank, it is in most cases a much-needed job.

Keeping the roads and streets in good condition for driving is absolutely necessary to ensure the safety of people on the road. Rather than continuously complaining and try mellowing out.

Take the time to make music out of the drilling sounds outside, play games with your kids in the back seat, sing along with the radio and fantasize about your dinner plans.

Take into consideration that the seemingly overwhelming construction is only a single element in the whirlwind of today’s busy events, and try to be patient.

So, next time you are stuck at I-25 and University, Relax. This too shall pass.