I startle easily.

Just ask my family, who often hear me yelp with surprise when they come into a room, especially if my back is turned. As I’ve told them, apologetically, I have a rather loud inner life.

That life grew a bit noisy earlier this week while I was walking home from the bank. Instead of enjoying the walk, noticing the trees, the summer flowers, the neighbor’s dog lounging in the shade, I started rummaging through some worries and what-ifs — the kinds of thoughts that accomplish little, unless you count torpedoing your peace of mind as an accomplishment.

As I reached the corner of our block, I glanced up and saw four large letters set against a red octagon:

STOP

I just had to laugh.

Sometimes the universe really does give you a sign.