Even as I arrived here in the United States with an open mind, I found that there was a attribute about the people here that I was not so prepared for. It is the sensitivity of the people here! The way one acknowledges another is something that came as a pleasant surprise! I have been a firm believer in the goodness of people irrespective of their origins, yet this was such a huge serving of goodness that I wasn't so prepared for!
Let me begin with a very touching experience to illustrate my observation. The town of Boone like many other towns in USA has a FREE bus service within the town for everyone. Yes, FREE bus service! That might be surprising to quite a few of you but that certainly is not what I intend to elaborate here. It is about the experience that I had with one of the bus drivers.
A lady well over her 50's was the driver on this particular bus that I took after a indulgent shopping session. Laden with a multitude of shopping bags, as I boarded the bus, I said a customary good evening to the lady driver and moved ahead into the alley towards an empty seat. As I began to settle down the bags, I realized that the bus wasn't moving. Just turning around to see what was happening, I saw the lady driver looking at me through the rear view mirror. And guess what, she was waiting for me to settle down all that while! I was so struck by this act that I mumbled a 'Thank you so much!' and sat down She simply smiled back that said so much more.
Even as the bus charted through its regular route, my mind was on its way to this post!
How was it that a person who could be so bogged down by the mundane nature of her job was so sensitive to others'needs? If you might think this to be a one-off incident, I am only glad to say that it wasn't. It is almost a ritual, albeit a refreshing one, to be greeted and o greet back each one of the bus drivers in this town. Also, this warmth is not restricted to the bus drivers alone. Walking on the streets, I have been so often greeted by strangers. And that's all that takes to make one feel elated and welcome!
This certainly is something that makes me reflect on the nature of sensitivity that each one of us harbors within ourselves. Certainly one need not hold such external behavior as a parameter of sensitivity, yet it provides a strong indication of the state of the mind of the person. All it takes for one to share a smile with a stranger is an acknowledgement of the inherent goodness within each one of us. The moment you feel good about your own self, a smile blossoms through your presence!
I am glad I am here amidst such warm-hearted people, like I was back in India. I will leave you with your share of similar experiences that might have rushed to your mind now. And, here I am once again to find what is 'A musing in Boone'.
 |
| A familiar scene in Boone: Students waiting for the AppalCart |
A lady well over her 50's was the driver on this particular bus that I took after a indulgent shopping session. Laden with a multitude of shopping bags, as I boarded the bus, I said a customary good evening to the lady driver and moved ahead into the alley towards an empty seat. As I began to settle down the bags, I realized that the bus wasn't moving. Just turning around to see what was happening, I saw the lady driver looking at me through the rear view mirror. And guess what, she was waiting for me to settle down all that while! I was so struck by this act that I mumbled a 'Thank you so much!' and sat down She simply smiled back that said so much more.
 |
| After an indulgent shopping experience! |
How was it that a person who could be so bogged down by the mundane nature of her job was so sensitive to others'needs? If you might think this to be a one-off incident, I am only glad to say that it wasn't. It is almost a ritual, albeit a refreshing one, to be greeted and o greet back each one of the bus drivers in this town. Also, this warmth is not restricted to the bus drivers alone. Walking on the streets, I have been so often greeted by strangers. And that's all that takes to make one feel elated and welcome!
This certainly is something that makes me reflect on the nature of sensitivity that each one of us harbors within ourselves. Certainly one need not hold such external behavior as a parameter of sensitivity, yet it provides a strong indication of the state of the mind of the person. All it takes for one to share a smile with a stranger is an acknowledgement of the inherent goodness within each one of us. The moment you feel good about your own self, a smile blossoms through your presence!
I am glad I am here amidst such warm-hearted people, like I was back in India. I will leave you with your share of similar experiences that might have rushed to your mind now. And, here I am once again to find what is 'A musing in Boone'.
No comments:
Post a Comment
I would love to hear from you!