The Barn, Books, Business, The Bus

Some ask me why I ride the bus. My life events seemed to have brought me full circle to what I thought about in my youth, to being expressed now. A near-death experience in the prime of my life stirred a revisit to that expression. It progressed something like this.

On the farm as a youth, it was my job to feed the cows, take them to pasture, and in the summertime, stack the freshly baled hay on the wagon, and then stack it in the hay loft in the barn. During those times working in the barn, the hills, I saw myself helping those neglected, struggling, just trying to make it in life. As I thought about going to college, I would think about studying psychology, sociology then working with VISTA, or a social service organization.

After nearly completing my hours for a major in psychology, my college had an offer by a local TV station to provide jobs to students in broadcasting. I had the opportunity to actually work and get college credit. So I switched my major to broadcast communications.  I seemed to be a natural there and realized I loved communications psychology more than clinical psychology. After a year or two I was offered a chance to broaden my communications skills by creating audio-visual media for a national religious publishing organization. While there I completed an advanced degree in education and communications. I was not making  a great deal of money, but I enjoyed what I did.

Events started to move more rapidly. As president and on boards of several educational/training association groups, I became noted in my field. The business sector caught my eye. Started a video production business producing videos mainly for corporate applications, became a corporate training professional, and moved on to partnering with entrepreneurs as an advanced resource/personal strategist. My professional career continued to advance.

Then all of a sudden things changed.

A near-death experience, barely escaped dying, totally changed my perspective of life quite dramatically.  This summation of those with near-death experiences gives a fairly accurate description of who I am now.

"Most people who face near-death experiences are profoundly changed for even decades after their near-death experience. They particularly become less materialistic, less competitive, less involved in personal power, prestige, fame. Much more altruistic (selfless concern for others), much more concerned with relationships and the spiritual side of lives. Many change careers, change their relationships as a result of their near-death experience."  From:

Resurrected Millionaire doesn't care about money any more. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_K2I5P36-Z8

I don’t value carrying the image of being successful, having an impressive position, or possessing things as before. Life for me is about living on purpose, a mission, and creating quality lifestyle that’s more internal than external. It is like God sent me back with this message… we all have His gifts and an assignment related to it. I can see God’s gifts in people. He has given me a Gift to guide people in how to use their Gifts for Noble Purposes. Everyday I see a rich reservoir of latent talent, undiscovered, underdeveloped gifts on the bus… not just the bus riders, but also the bus drivers, the leaders that surround the system. No matter how little someone has or how much someone has accomplished, I see so much more that they could be.

I want to help those who want to do better, need to do better, to live out a healthy philosophy of life, an inspired life, a life with purpose, a sense of mission, a reason to be here. As we mature into our God-given Gifts, we make a difference. We then exist in… that happy spot. When in our place as our Creator made us, we find happiness and fulfillment in a measure we value.

“Before you were born, I set you apart for a special role in God’s purpose.” (Jeremiah 1:5)

This has been my ride… the barn, books, business, the bus. An interesting ride. I have returned full circle to the thoughts of my youth I had while riding on top of the hay wagon as the tractor driver took us to the barn. Now it’s the bus driver taking me home.

In all of this, I am finding my own happy spot. The bus has brought me back to seeing this again, and living it again. In my youth on the farm, many remarked that I was a happy person. I created happiness and fun for myself. I like the simplicity that opens the door for that happiness again.

Maybe this helps so you see why I ride the bus. 

A Waiting Pleasure

The bus stop is tucked in a quiet neighborhood. In the warm summer mornings I like to walk a couple blocks to it, sit on the bench, watch the clouds overhead, listen to the chirping birds. It’s a real peaceful place with a friendly neighborhood too.  A car or two will pass by. They frequently wave. Reminds me of being on a small town street. As I looked around though I noticed the grass around the bench and bus stop pole was a little high, saw an empty soft drink cup, a few cigarette butts. It’s a nice spot but could use a little sprucing up, the weeds trimmed, the bench painted.

The thought went through my mind we actually enjoy waiting when where we wait is a pleasurable spot. I then started to think about all the other bus stops.

What if we took time each week to manicure them?  All it would take would be a man and a truck, a mower, weed eater, a broom and a trash bag. He could make the rounds each day and cover several routes daily. Cut the grass, trim the grass around the benches, poles, sweep the cement, pick up unnecessary things left there. They could really be a neat place… something remarkable, that would stand out and people remark about. Those waiting on the bus could feel like they were waiting at the 18th hole of a PGA Tour golf course.

Growing up I lived in Amish-Dutch country. Many of the farmers didn’t have much but the barns were always painted, the fences mended, grass cut, always neat and clean. I remember it well, as it was my job to do it. The farmers were always working at making the most of what they had. Those who passed by would remark about how beautiful and well-kept the farms were.

The other day I took Line 5 to a wellness facility. The waiting area had a large fish aquarium, soft music, comfy chairs, and courtesy drinking water with a slice of cucumber in it. I tell people I like to go early because I get inspired by the wait. It’s like the tucked away bus stop I like to go to, where it’s a nice place to sit, relax, take in the calm, refreshing feel of its environment. …just lifts my spirits being there.

A principle of life started coming home… we don’t mind waiting, or even anticipate it, when the wait is pleasurable, with a pleasant atmosphere and surroundings. When the wait is pleasing, we come more often… the wait can even be something we look forward to.

Lesson: when you need someone to wait for you, make it as pleasurable for them as you can.

(By the way, I looked up the word manicure. Its parallel meanings include beautify, polish, cut, shape, clip. We think of manicure as care in beautifying, polishing fingernails. It's a good fit for other things as well.)

“He who is faithful with the small things is also faithful with much.” (Jesus)

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