Inner Monologue, Scene 1: The Q Train

As I sat there on the Q train, I sat quite annoyed that the lady directly across from me felt the need to push her way through me to be the first one on the train.  I mean I was really fuming - trying to calm myself down.  Thinking - who does she think SHE is? I mean, does she think she deserves to be on the train before me because of the day she had? Well, what about my day lady? You have no idea what kind of day I had. 


Does she think the place she has to get to is more important than the place I have to get to? Did I miss something here? I mean we will both get on this train - we will both get to our destinations eventually.  What makes her think it is OK to push through people to get on the train? There is an order to this whole train thing lady. Clearly you didn't get the manual! I was patiently waiting for the train for 10 minutes, and you bum-rushed your way through as soon as the train pulled up. Cutting right in front of me.  Not even acknowledging that I was there. 


Really, who do you think you are? Do you feel entitled for some reason? Do you feel the need to be in control? Oh - I get it - you think you're better than me. Is that what it is?


Then I saw something that quieted my inner voice. I actually allowed myself to look at the woman.  I saw her through her own eyes and I saw something beautifully innocent.  I saw a tired woman.  I saw a woman who worked tirelessly for her family.  I saw a woman who had endured so much and asked for so little. I saw a woman who could have easily been my mother. And then, I saw that she had 5 heavy bags with her!


That was when it dawned on me.  She just wanted to ensure that she got a seat because she had so many bags! 


It was that simple. 

Today's Daily Lesson: Sometimes we get so caught up in trying to make someone wrong that we are not present to what the reality is.