Watching

I sit watching.

Watching people dart in and out of coffee shops.

Watching people board trains, planes, and automobiles.

People are hooked to their devices paying no mind as to what is going on around them.

As I sit watching people the morning commute has cleared.

The last of the commuters dressed their “Sunday best” purchase an $8 coffee on their way to their desk.

Inside the buildings they dart, not holding the door open for others.

I continue to sit and watch.

My herbal tea has grown cold so I get a refill of hot water as I continue to watch.

It’s now noon time and the people come out of buildings in groves to the food truck, diners, or fast food places they flock, all the while hooked to their electronic devices.

They’ve no clue about what’s going on around them.

I continue to sit and watch.

Sitting at a nearby table they plop down with food and drink in hand.

There’s little conversation as they both have fork in hand and phone in the other.

Scrolling through their phone neither see what’s going on around them

I continue to sit and watch.

Noon lunch break nears a close and people dart back to their workplace.

The streets have shoppers and a few late lunch folks grabbing a bite to eat.

After another of my many hot herbal tea refills, I look out the window.

I continue to sit and watch.

It’s the end of the day and people are starting to venturing out for their evening commute.

I once again watch people board trains, planes, and automobiles, paying no mind to what’s going on around them.

Cars horns blare, fingers fly up, glares are given.

I continue to sit and watch.

People dart in and out of restaurants.

Last minute groceries are picked up to help with supper plans.

People are out on evening walks paying no mind to others around them.

I continue to sit and watch.

The sun is slowly sinking and the waitress comes and takes my card t pay my bill.

I learned a lot today, being still and watching people.

I’ve realized what a selfish, me focused, high paced, electronic driven and addicted society we are.

I continue to sit and watch.

The waitress comes back with my card and receipt.

I smile and thank her.

She’s already turned away and is collecting her next customers payment.

I continue to sit and watch.

It amazes me how fast paced and disconnected people are in this world we live in.

From one thing to the next we go without looking around or talking to others.

No longer are people rubbing shoulders with one another.

I continue to sit and watch.

My brain and heart are tired from all the watching and observing of fellow man.

I stand up with only my plastic credit card.

I walk out of the establishment and try to talk to others on my walk home.

No response, from a single person.

I sit on a bench, watching the last suns rays sink into the trees.

What a day it was.

I’ve once again learned so much from my fellow man.

What a world we live in, with so much unawareness, hate, selfishness, addictions, disrespect, evil, and darkness.

I shiver as the temperature has dropped.

I get up and walk the rest of the way home, aware of my surroundings, nature, God, and people.

I smile to myself as today has been a good day, I’ve learned and became more aware of so much.

I’ve continued to watch and learn all day long, now it’s time to rest.

I climb into bed.

I’m exhausted.

I finish reflecting on my day.

And then, I sink in to a deep restful slumber.

I hope this writing inspires us all to take a step back in our everyday life and pause to take in all of life’s noise, beauty, and simple things. All to often in today’s day and age people don’t. May you not be one of those people. Life is truly a gift. One too often that is taken for granted. Don’t take it for granted. Rub shoulders with others. Put your phone and other electronic devices down. “Unplug” from them if you must. Say hello to others. Hold the door open for all people. Have conversations at meal times with others you eat with. And please, look around and be aware of your surroundings. There is so much beauty we miss when we are so focused on things. Take time to smell those flowers if you must. And at the end of the day, reflect on your day and be thankful for another day in this world. Again, may this inspire you today, and always.