The Reiki Cafe 

I suppose this is a New York City topic, but it applies everywhere.

Getting back in forth in the Big Apple (why is it called that, anyway?) requires trips on the subway. Crowds of people press into cars, compete for seats, and steady themselves on poles and bars. The average rider doesn't see the people as any more than units, together with himself on the ride.

But look again. Each person is a whole universe. They have an entire life filled with family and friends. They have a job. They have problems; they have joys. They each a complex being full of thoughts, feelings, and aspirations. It's amazing, sometimes, that the small space of human body can hold so much.

But beyond that...there's a crowd. How many people on this subway car? How many on the train? How many in the country and how many in the world? Each one is holding a whole universe inside. The breadth of the size of humanity is just staggering.

Hi Roxy,

This is a very interesting topic.

If we all would just slow down our pace and thoughts and do as you did and look upon and into another human we would think, feel and act so differently about them and ourselves.

Taking time to smell the roses and truly look at them and life kind of thing.

So many of us look past elderly people we see out in public. If you take some time and look in to their eyes and past the wrinkles you can truly see that young handsome or beauty that once was. I then begin to wonder what their life has been like.

When I see a younger man, and I assume maybe a son, with his mother out shopping, I am pleased to see this act of love and compassion and I also begin to wonder if this woman has lost her partner and what her thoughts are and had been so many years before concerning her childhood, loves, raising children, dreams, etc.

It is so easy to get caught up in the rat race of life and look past our fellow humans who each has a personal story and energy stamp.

This is where a smile can mean so much and costs nothing.

May we all appreciate each other in these small ways.

Donna

Yes, we look past the elders, in a hurry to get somewhere, perhaps nervous about being vulnerable if we slow our brisk walking pace in the city. Thus we miss their treasures.

Blessings,
Aronaya

Otoharo!

Roxy, so beautifully stated. Thanks.

finality

What a wonderful topic.
I have to take commuter train AND the subway to and from work every day. I love to look around and listen to the people, and it just makes my day when someone acknowledges me and strikes up a conversation. I also try to make conversation whenever I can (without being a pest, or whatever). :-)

This morning there was a woman sitting behind me with a little baby, and they were having so much fun, laughing, cooing, etc. Listening to that totally made my day.