Will The Bus Come Faster If I Perpetually Watch For It?

Rushing out the door to catch the bus to get to work I pass the dimly lit coffee shop on the corner.  Squinting, I attempt to read the fuzzy clock above the sandwich counter to track my progress which tells me two things 1) I am 5 minutes behind schedule and 2) I don't have time to go back and get my glasses that I left behind.

My pace quickens as I hurry by the park and a flock of pigeons take flight. Their wings highlighted by the sunrise as they turn together flying from the power lines encircling up around and into a tree with synchronized precision. The sun starts to rise, highlighting the frost covered city, in a multitude of pink hues and gold bounces off the windows of the high rises. "I don't need my glasses", I ponder, "all these magnificent sights would be clearer but the pleasure isn't reduced by the blur."

Until I get to the bus stop.  

My Blurry View Down The Street

I can't differentiate my express bus from the semi's and garbage trucks or other buses.  My bus pass is in hand and each large vehicle that comes into focus that isn't my bus leaves me even more impatient.

I take a deep breath and realize the ridiculousness of the circling of my thoughts.  I am ready, actually first in line, to the exact spot the doors will open when the bus arrives.  I am prepared for the future that is coming whenever it gets here, whether I can see it or not.

I could look at my google maps and through this amazing world of technology, it tells when the next bus is coming but why do I need to know?  Why don't I just embrace this moment I have while I wait instead of lamenting about when the bus is coming?

Yes ... occasionally there are problems within the system:

•  buses break down, 
• there are delays in traffic and 
• personnel are not able to make it in, but
• after a long delay I could alter my plans and take a different bus route or 
• go home and get my car, phone work and let them know I am delayed.

But none of this is happening yet.  

Why don't I set my gaze on the assortment different cars that go by and imagine the lives within.... or enjoy the sunrise and how the sky changes every few seconds as it awakens the day.... or feel my body in this place and breath in the air to fill my lungs.... or so many other things other than look up every few seconds to watch for the bus.

I notice this obsessive circulation of thoughts and observe the feelings of anxiousness in my body and appreciate this lesson my glasses, which are sitting on the coffee table at home, are teaching me.

Steps to my future

1. I have a future that I am waiting for, I can wait patiently or I can keep myself busy so the time doesn't feel so boring or I can watch for its arrival.  All the results will be the same.  My future (the bus) will come when it gets here.  
2. When my future, arrives I need to get on.  Just as I am prepared for the bus with pass in hand I am prepared and ready for my future.
3. Now that I am on the bus, taking the ride to work I know that this step is a small step to the greater goal, it is just the route to the larger goal. 

The lessons that I learned from the simple mistake of leaving my glasses behind.

1. It doesn't matter that there are people on the bus with more or less money, we all have the bus fare that is needed to get on the bus.  Each of us is worthy of the bus ride, even the starving students that had to sneak on:) 
2. I don't need to see what my future entails I can get onto that future whenever it arrives.  My only job is to enjoy the time while I wait and be ready for when it arrives.
3. When my future arrives I will not question my worth.  I know there are some people much more experienced than me or less experienced but each is worthy of get a ride to their future.

What simple lessons did life teach you today while walking?