Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Ninety minutes a day


"A waste of time, that's what I used to think," said Steve, "but I found something very interesting."
Puzzled, Harry asked, "What's a waste of time?"
"Driving."
"Driving? Just like that?"
"Driving to work. 45 minutes each way, 90 minutes a day. Imagine what you could do--I mean, I could be exercising, well I'm kinda lazy, or I could spend more time with my wife--not that we have too much in common, we don't even like the same books, movies, or TV shows. I guess I could watch TV but that would be a waste of time as well--you know what I mean, don't you?"
Harry was a little lost, too much information, "Not sure. You said you found something interesting?"
Smiling, Steve replied, "People."
"People?"
"Yeah, people--you know..."
"What about people?"
"I started to pay attention to people on the street. Have you noticed them?"
"Sorta. What's interesting about them?"
Steve eyes lit, "You don't even know. Pay close attention to people, you'll find a surprise or two. I noticed this kid, he walks with a backpack, I suppose he's going to school which is not that close, then I wondered about his parents, are they at work and can't take him to school? What if it was my kid, would I let them walk to school even if it's raining? I felt compelled to take him to school but, me? The middle age man? That doesn't sound right--" Steve smile disappeared, "So, every day I see him walking to school, I guess that's alright."
Harry sighed, "Well, that's how it goes. What other people did you see?"
"Old people, retired, I guess. There's a traffic light, it always turn red when I get there. That's where I see her; she's pretty, late 70s. She's always sweeping--she lives in an old house. House is kept clean and nice. Does she live alone? I've never noticed anybody else. I guess, she must've been popular when she was young."
"Why do you say that?"
"She's pretty, must've been gorgeous when she was younger--does she have any kids? Grandkids? Is she a widower? But, she's always there, sweeping, looking at the floor, like searching for a lost ring or something."
"Where do you get these ideas? I mean, for what I was able to gather people have the same routines: go to work, school, clean house, etc. What's interesting about that?"
Surprised, Steve said, "Don't you get it?"
"No."
"It's not about routine, it's about life. People's lives. We do things that are repetitive, routine as you call it. However, if you pay attention you'll find there's more to life. Notice it, enjoy it, live it."
"You are crazy."
"Yeah, crazy, but no longer bored."