Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Redeeming Bus Rides

Bus rides...usually my favorite time of day. I get serious meditations done. I get eye candy with all the activities going on outside the bus windows. I get novels read. After the bus ride from hell on Monday night - six and half hours of gridlock, icy road conditions, 27 mile an hour sideways blowing snow and no book to delve into - I wasn't too keen on getting on the bus tonight. Bus riding has been redeemed. Just have to get back on the horse and ride, so to speak.

The young lady sitting next to me was wholly interesting. Youth. Youth has a great optimism otherwise forgotten over time. Really, the conversation was nothing. We discussed the virtues of crock-pots and having friends over for dinner, for no damn reason. We got onto the subject of work. She's in training to be a psychiatrist. She's working while she works on her masters (as everyone is here in this town). I don't know what possessed me to tell her something I truly believe. People want two things - to be recognized; to know they've been seen, acknowledgement if you will and they want to be heard: listen, just hear them out, listen to the whole story without interruption or judgement. I get a lot of thank you's at work for just letting these people tell me their troubles. I can't do much about it. But, I let them talk. And I listen. Esther had not heard it put this way before. Is she that young? Maybe. I could see she was putting the ideas into her head for future use - whatever that may be.

Between you and I, at home, I appreciate those times of comfortable silence among the people I love. Then I know all is well. I wonder if I gauge life's contentment in those moments of silence. If one is compelled to be silent does that mean one is content? Maybe that's what I seek. Is this too Zen? It is pleasant, regardless.

4 comments:

  1. Silence is golden, but duct tape is silver...
    :-)
    Seriously though, what can be more comfortable than being in the same room with someone you love, and not having to say anything, just enjoying being there with them?

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  2. OH, I suppose one could rip a corner of duct tape away once in a while to say, I love you.

    hahaha - oh, I'm so funny tooo!

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  3. I think it is a gift to listen. I have the gift as well. I also like to sit in a room full of loved ones and simply say nothing because it usually means we are content. Very good point!

    Great post and great observation.

    I have learned so much about life by reading your journal over the years. Thank you for the reminders.

    Love,
    Bobby

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