A Revisit
Bus Stop Chat
February 9, 2025: I can still remember our conversation, your face, and the meaningfulness of it all. Our world is the one I want to live in.
Face-to-face conversations are often undervalued in today's digital world. What many don’t realize is that these interactions are better because they allow for greater understanding, especially when you can see someone's expressions. There is value in body language.
Face-to-face communication matters. – paerki
February 9, 2019: I’m always happy to share my point of view, and even happier when someone cares enough to do the same. On Friday, I was standing on the bus stop waiting to travel downtown. Of course, two buses never showed and a third was late (this is not a complaint because this is the norm for Baltimore’s public buses).
This time around, the best part of my wait was meeting a young woman from Africa, more specifically – Nigeria. We talked about the situation, with her sharing information about the bus system in her village and how it works (Baltimore is golden by comparison).
We talked about having less, expectations and so much more, but what it really came down to was appreciating what you have and making the most of it with minimal complaint.
There is a difference between expectations, and "legitimate" expectations. Our expectations are mostly born out of us believing others think as we do (a big no-no!), ulterior motives, and insecurities and fear, all of which create animosity, friction, and stubbornness. (Does this sound familiar, friend?)
Those that are legitimate require us to speak out because that’s how we create change. It offers an opportunity to connect with others, thus strengthening our resolve.
I don’t have expectations when it comes to Mother Nature because I can’t control her, but I do have them with every human who must, from time-to-time, yield. As for happiness, we should all have expectations, but are they legitimate? Only you know the answer to that question. Life is too short not to be happy. Always remember, you get out of it what you put into it.
To my bus stop friend (we never shared our names, but kept talking, learning and laughing), know that you were a breath of fresh air, and that your thoughts/opinions will stay with me. I hope our paths cross again. We’re both different, and yet the same. Black to white, woman to man, we are like everyone else, trying to make our way through life, and when we stopped, taking time out to connect with each other, positive outcomes were achieved fur thering our respective journeys, enlightening the way. How lucky were we?! Very! I’m convinced it was fate.
I can’t say this enough, if you want to achieve a better quality of life, put the electronics down and begin a face-to-face conversation. It will change your world, and definitely how you think. – paerki
Face-to-face conversations are often undervalued in today's digital world. What many don’t realize is that these interactions are better because they allow for greater understanding, especially when you can see someone's expressions. There is value in body language.
Face-to-face communication matters. – paerki
February 9, 2019: I’m always happy to share my point of view, and even happier when someone cares enough to do the same. On Friday, I was standing on the bus stop waiting to travel downtown. Of course, two buses never showed and a third was late (this is not a complaint because this is the norm for Baltimore’s public buses).
This time around, the best part of my wait was meeting a young woman from Africa, more specifically – Nigeria. We talked about the situation, with her sharing information about the bus system in her village and how it works (Baltimore is golden by comparison).
We talked about having less, expectations and so much more, but what it really came down to was appreciating what you have and making the most of it with minimal complaint.
There is a difference between expectations, and "legitimate" expectations. Our expectations are mostly born out of us believing others think as we do (a big no-no!), ulterior motives, and insecurities and fear, all of which create animosity, friction, and stubbornness. (Does this sound familiar, friend?)
Those that are legitimate require us to speak out because that’s how we create change. It offers an opportunity to connect with others, thus strengthening our resolve.
I don’t have expectations when it comes to Mother Nature because I can’t control her, but I do have them with every human who must, from time-to-time, yield. As for happiness, we should all have expectations, but are they legitimate? Only you know the answer to that question. Life is too short not to be happy. Always remember, you get out of it what you put into it.
To my bus stop friend (we never shared our names, but kept talking, learning and laughing), know that you were a breath of fresh air, and that your thoughts/opinions will stay with me. I hope our paths cross again. We’re both different, and yet the same. Black to white, woman to man, we are like everyone else, trying to make our way through life, and when we stopped, taking time out to connect with each other, positive outcomes were achieved fur thering our respective journeys, enlightening the way. How lucky were we?! Very! I’m convinced it was fate.
Talking, having a real conversation is becoming a lost art, replaced by social media. Often I witness people eagerly seizing on someone else’s words as an excuse to talk about themselves. There is a time to talk, and a time to listen. The latter is very important. In the end, all just want to be heard, to know people understand and are concerned.
I can’t say this enough, if you want to achieve a better quality of life, put the electronics down and begin a face-to-face conversation. It will change your world, and definitely how you think. – paerki
