What's Next?

My Dear Readers, I have a confession to make.

I have been blessed with a super power.

Yes, that's right. I have been given a talent so rare, so powerful, that it could really only be called as such: I have the ability to become a "Morning Person" at will. When I say "at will," I do mean it cause, don't get me wrong, I like to sleep in late just as much as any other normal person. But when I need to, I can be up and at-em when the time calls. Super power, really. Now, this may not sound as exciting as, say, being able to fly or turn invisible or read other peoples' thoughts but in this time of the great inner-city commute, it is, I would say, an amazing gift.

Let's take a look at how I use my super powers on an every-day basis. My commute, though not terribly treacherous, still involves three different flavors of transportation (bus, train, and foot...mmm...foot flavor). I have noticed that taking public transportation, though very convenient and efficient, tends to be one of the more sombre experiences of my day.

It seems that, aside from maybe a cathedral in the middle of the day, busses and trains are some of the quietest places you can be while still being surrounded by people. Think about it. When was the last time you were in a tight space with 50-something other people and NOBODY was talking? AT ALL? It's weird---unsettling even. I guess everyone else uses busses and trains to "wake up"...they use it as their "me time." The next time you're on a bus or train during the morning rush, listen for that deafening silence of people waking up...*WARNING* Heebie-Jeebies will likely ensue.

So where does that leave us Morning People who are already awake?

Well, I have decided to turn my morning commute into something of a mission. A mission to share my ability to be awake in the morning and to get people off on the right foot to start their day. Whether it's greeting the bus driver "good morning" or complimenting the lady across the aisle on her lovely hat, I feel that something simple as a smile can turn the drab rumble of the train car into a light song of morning satisfaction...I know, I know, I'm getting all mushy and saccharine and you, my Dear Readers are probably thinking "Isn't this, like, the plot to that stupid movie with Haley Joel Osment...the one that wasn't The Sixth Sense?" But seriously, I think there is something really legitimate to be said for making someone smile when they're getting too serious or introspective. I merely wish to serve as a reminder that there is a world outside of the Daily Metro crossword puzzle or *shudder* Taylor Swift on your iPod.

Today, I met a nice gentleman from my neighborhood who I'd never met before. I think he's gonna be my new bus friend. I like that I have a bus friend. It gives me something to look forward to in the morning. It keeps me from living in books and iPods which I find myself doing more than I'd care to admit. There is a lot that can be observed on the bus. People are very interesting animals and I think that one can learn a lot about the human condition by simply looking up instead of down for a change.

Also, I think there is something to be said for allowing oneself more time than is actually needed to get from place to place. I think that part of the reason that people are so glum on the way to work (aside from the fact that they may not actually enjoy their job) is that everything is done in a hurry. People run to catch busses and trains, people run across the street as they gulp down their coffee (which they drink to make themselves move faster), and people just don't make the time to be stress-free.

Me? I give myself plenty of time and therefore don't feel the need to hurry off from vehicle to vehicle. Again, this is a way to support my Morning Personality as Super Power theory. I realize not everyone thinks they have the ability to allow themselves this much time (debatable though, 'cause I think that it's really all a matter of will-power) but, it's still something to consider. I have found, for instance, that instead of running, walking to the train platform will usually still get me onto the train and even if it doesn't, I'm running early so I can just catch the next one. Flexibility can be a tremendous stress reliever. Maybe people would like the jobs they do more if they felt something other than stress the moment they walked in the door.

So why do I feel the need to share this epic stream of thought with you all? Well, as they said in the Spiderman movies, "with great power comes great responsibility." Though my spidey sense wasn't particularly tingly this morning (I wasn't exactly scaling walls at the train station), I was able to come to some conclusions about the powers I DO posses so why not share 'em?

So to summarize, my Dearest Readers, there is something to be said for giving yourself time in the morning. If you can keep your head in a positive place from the time you step onto the bus or train, the rest of the day should logically follow in a similarly positive light...make your own happiness, y'know? As my favorite blue environmentalist Captain Planet once said, The Power is Yours!

Till next time, my loyal band of blogophiles!

Peace, Love, and Ukuleles,
Super B