Our realizations, most of the time, seem mousy that they come out more often when we are alone than when we kill time enjoying with a group of friends.
Nonetheless, I have no scientific explanation. And I didn't have the time and get-up-and-go to google it. And this is what makes it labelled under ‘Journal.’
Having a workplace that is within walking distance from my place is a big advantage, really, especially here in the metro. No further explanations needed. You exactly know why. However, at some point, it also carries some drawbacks: it minimizes my self-called philosophical time—the solitude I find from traveling alone with my eyes glued on the streets no matter how good the movie being played on the TV bus is or how intriguing a couple seems in that jeepney ride.
On May 10, 2014 was again the first time [in forever] I got to be on this big-parking lot called EDSA. Yes, the traffic jam was so upsetting. It took me more than two hours to reach Mandaluyong, while the usual commuter’s estimated road trip is 40 minutes, including the traffic, the bus stops to load and unload passengers, and other unnecessary stops caused by desirous driver and dispatcher for a jam-pack. Good thing, yesterday was a perfect timing; I was not in rush and had been hating to stay in my apartment as it started appearing like a human microwave. (Ugh I hate summer!) The bus was at least air-conditioned. Ah, a taste of heaven at the moment.
So I got to entertain myself by watching the busy streets, the people through the other buses’ windows, the luxury cars scattered, etc. etc. Let me share my views on how you can make an ordinary and routine day trip extra special. (Sorry for the long intro.)
1. Look around.
This works. Let me tell you why… “Can’t sleep? Don’t count the sheep. Talk to the Shepherd.” shouts the average-sized billboard along EDSA. I was actually riding the MRT way back home when I saw this. And I was just like, “Wow!” My heart jumped off joy that there are still advertisements like this, different from the nowadays’ emerging numbers of billboards of unwholesome models. Plus, it hit me like a bull’s eye as I used to count the sheep during insomnia nights; well, at least, before I started a closer relationship with God. Later that night, I was reminded of the ad I saw. And the conversation was great.
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| Photo Not Mine. Talk to the Shepherd. |
Sometimes, we think that this generation is turning less good than the older ones… But we must also remember that sometimes, we just have to look around.
2. Don’t just look around. Look up.
Maybe Ryzza Mae’s look-up dance craze will start ringing in your heads right now. That’s admissible. But really, looking up [for me] is more than just a gesture. It transports the silence and peace of the sky down to your state of mind. The calmness of the sky is something that fastens your sight to it. The gesture of looking up also denotes humility—that there is always someone higher than we are, and most especially there is a supreme being who takes control of everything.
Not to mention that sometimes, a cloud puzzle is another Mr. Boredom way-out. You know, the rabbits or the human faces or the smiles that the clouds form that we even proudly ask the person we are with if they can identify [or imagine] the same. (Haha)
3. Greet first.
‘Good morning!’ is a common gesticulation that mall and restaurant guards and/or waiters/waitresses welcome their customers with. And most of the time, we (guests) just snob them. What if we try the other way? Before that big guy door-lookout opens the door and opens his mouth, we just draw our sweetest smiles and grab their number one goal—to greet whoever comes in. Who knows, we could probably make up somebody else’s day. J
Or if you can’t totally breathe in that confidence or can't get over your coyness, well at least…
4. Greet back!
End of story.
5. Show a random act of kindness.
We frequently get across street children or even seemingly able-to-work parents. The idea that we also have so many bills to settle, grocery buys to load to the fridge and finances to stretch until the next payday is the one winning most of the time. Here enters the challenge: work on the opposite. When you are empty, give. When your budget is short, offer a meal. When you are living from paycheck to paycheck and nothing is really deposited in your easy-saver’s account, provide for the ones in need. Just a reminder, “If you help the poor, you are lending to the Lord—and He will repay you!” (Proverbs 19:17) Isn't it such a huge achievement to have felt that because of your generosity, God considers He owes you one? But this cannot stand alone. We don’t give only so we can expect a reward for the act. What God loves is a cheerful giver.
If we really give with a cheerful heart, the happiness that comes out from it is the thought that we are able to help, not the expectation that we will receive something. A cheerful giver finds fulfilment from giving. Period.
6. Talk to a stranger.
Yes, our parents used to tell us “Darling, never ever talk to a stranger!” and we just feel their sincere and overflowing concern just by the tone of their voice. But try reverting it, without of course neglecting your instinct and verdict on who are the best strangers to talk to. And when I say talk, I don’t mean you’d be like Charo Santos narrating your breakup story or announcing the surprise engagement proposal you recently had. It can be a simple response to a bus seatmate when she (let’s say a mother) exclaims (out of disappointment, that her thoughts reach her mouth) that she forgot her umbrella and outside it’s raining cats and dogs. “Papatigilin na po yan ni Lord pag baba natin.” (God will stop the rain when we get off.) That won’t hurt, right?
We did not only talk to someone new, but we also spoke about the Lord in the simplest possible way. And please, when we do Number 6, I hope it makes sense.
7. Grab a taxi.
What? This might not be apt for some who are in tight budgeting. But for me, it’s kind of fun taking down the road inside a convenient ride and having one once in a while, in an appropriate time—when you’re in a hurry or it’s pouring hard and you take no umbrella (Health is wealth!).
If you still can’t give up a few bucks for a convenient and safer ride, putting to mind that you can be manong taxi driver’s answer to his prayer so he can pay for his boundary might help…
(By the way, don’t get too much of an emo watching how the raindrops fall which gets your eyes off the road. Still remember to write the body number and the company name. Safety is wealth, too! OR, you may download the Pasahero app from your App or Play Store.)
8. Take a walk.
Seriously? Yes!
I am not a bipolar or something. Again, do not abandon your wisdom and discernment on when and where to do such things. Taking a walk is a can-do in a park, inside a secured village, in the place you know most about, during the daylight, when it's not raining or not too sunny, or when your next stop is within walking distance. It’s a perfect time to stretch your muscles!
However, what makes walking more fun and sensible is when you just don’t tire your feet on and let a few sweat drops out. It is the best time to be on your best attentive self. Observe other people. Look how they walk or talk. Witness how a PDA couple fights or how a grandmother plays with her grandchild. Take note of how jobless people survive everyday. Spot a good place to witness all these. Then maybe, just maybe, you will realize that you are far more blessed than what you think and you will start taking your life seriously.
On top of it all, you might realize that you don't need all these just to realize that you are blessed. Because even without all these can-do's, you can, every day, say to yourself that life is indeed beautiful. ♥
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