Here is a little story about patience and not following the crowd…

Recently, I took the bus into my nearest town. It was a bitterly cold day, which makes my body more challenging – because I have cerebral palsy.

I like to sit right by the heater which helps to make my limbs – less Sloth-like, and the bus was full – with other commuters. I could hear several people chatting, excitedly about which shops they were planning to pop into – the pull of the January sales.

As we approached the city outskirts, the bus driver announced that a mechanic, who he must have radioed, needed to have a quick look at the engine. Nothing serious and that’d it would only take ten minutes. He then added, that if we wanted to alight the bus, then another would be along within minutes. Buses pass frequently along the busy seafront.

I was amazed at how many people complained. Firstly, because given it was mid-morning, unlikely that any of the other passengers were going to work. Secondly, because it’s common knowledge that there is never a shortage of buses flying by. Thirdly, since the driver was concise with his knowledge, and the matter was in hand, and out of his control.

Every single passenger, apart from me got off the bus. Into the harsh bite of the sea winds. Several continuing complaining, as they huddled in the bus stop – next to warm me – still seated.

Within the time that I had finished texting a friend; you’ll guess, the bus was fixed, engine purring normally, and everyone got back on the bus! It amused me that people were territorial about sitting exactly where they had been. And that a few people were still irate, and over nothing.

But what tickled me the most – was that the bus driver had not forced one of us off the bus – in the first place; and yet, ninety – nine percent of the travelers took to the cold pavement.

I think there is a lesson for all of us to practice patience; not be reactive – especially when a clear message has been delivered.

Moreover, not to follow the crowds, and let the common human sense – we are all born -with to prevail. When we are consciously awake, then we bypass the little irritants. Those niggly matters that are out of our control and in the bigger scheme of things – make no negative dent in our daily lives. When we observe, there is no need to follow the crowd.

 

I hope you find this helpful.

SUNNY wishes, Emma x