I'm reading the most excellent book right now on intelligence ("Intelligence" by Osho), which strongly encourages individuals to think for themselves. How refreshing. Instead of regurgitating rote "intellectual" knowledge or even what the "experts" say, consider what is the intelligent choice for you and your life. I love this particular quote, because it sums up what I observe and feel alot lately, both in my personal and professional life. It is always easier to encourage others to do this or that, but quite another to heed your own words/philosophy. Still, this is something I'm currently working on mastering/practicing....striving to respond rather than react.

"Reaction is from the thoughts and response is understanding. Reaction comes from the past; response is always in the present. But ordinarily we react--we have everything already inside. Somebody is doing something and we react as if a button has been pushed. Somebody insults you and you become angry---that has happened before, and it has been happening the same way all the while. It has become almost like a button: Someone pushes it, you become angry. There is not a single moment of waiting, not a single moment where you look at the situation to see if it may be different. The person who is insulting you may be right. He may have simply revealed a truth to you and that's why you feel insulted. Or he may be absolutely wrong, or he may be just a nasty person. But you have to look into the person--if he is right, you have to thank him because he has shown something to you. He has shown compassion toward you, he has been friendly by bringing a truth to your heart. Maybe it hurts, but that is not his fault."

Almost every day that I ride the #73 Armitage bus to work just as the sun is rising, I see the same few individuals follow the same bus routine as me. I sometimes wonder who they are, what they are like, what kind of lives they lead. This morning as I was approaching the bus, I recognized the familiar older woman with long gray hair and glasses standing there smoking a cigarette. I stopped as she asked me what I do/where I go that has me leaving so early in the morning. "I work at a clinic. What about you?" She tells me she is a gardener and likes to get there early because she has to go all the way to Des Plaines. Our brief exchange is over and I take my seat on the bus.

 About 10 minutes later, I see another familiar face, an older developmentally disabled ("slow") man. He wears glasses, appears to be in his early to mid forties, and always carries a lunch bag in his left hand. Knowing my travel route fairly well, I'm quite certain each morning he goes to the Anixter Center. It is a place that helps developmentally disabled people, though I'm not sure what services they offer,etc. Sometimes I see three other similiar people on their way there too, but not as frequent as I see the aforementioned man.

Perhaps it is because I had a short interaction with the woman from the bus that had me thinking about this on my bus ride, not sure....but I got to thinking about how much different life could be if I was born completely different. I remembered the main character from the book "Flowers for Algernon" that I read last year. The whole theme of the book centered around a man who had Down's Syndrome. While he wasn't the smartest person and he lived a very simplistic life, he was happy and had an innocent perspective on life. Of course, the proverbial Pandora's Box is opened. What would happen if psychologists and doctors could give him some kind of treatment to make his brain more effective/intelligent? How would his life be different?

I'm not going to give away the ending because it is truly a phenomenal book, however, I am left with the pondering question: Is it better to live a life of simplicity? One that is not mired in war/violence, hatred, selfishness, lies/deception, judgment, worries about financial security, government, the economy, ad infinitum? Or is it the bad stuff that balances out the good, that gives us a more meaningful and rewarding gratitude of kindness, beauty, humor, love, joy, passion, laughter, resilience, compassion, etc etc?

Interestingly, my mom and I were talking about something similar to this yesterday when she called me just to say Hi and touch base. We were commiserating about our common work frustrations. She was annoyed with some of her slacker students who have been blowing off her class with one excuse after another as to why they were unable to attend class. I countered back with my annoyance of slacker clients who fail to show up for their appointments and/or just show up whenever they feel like it. I told her I just don't understand why people can't at the very least call if they are running late/can't make it, as a common courtesy. My mom's cynical side came out. I don't think she really believes this deep down, but I can understand her feeling this way temporarily. I know I do at times. She went on to say that she doesn't have much hope for people....that no one takes the time to be polite/considerate and think of anyone but themselves anymore.

I do think this is true to an extent, but I think my mom had a good point...that how you were raised by your parents as being influential. She taught me to respect my elders, work hard for what I want in life (versus blindly expecting it to be handed over to me), and acknowledge even the smallest of gestures from others with the gratitude of a 'thank you' note,etc. There are many valuable things she instilled in me. Very simple things, yet things I consider important and honestly, things that have defined my overall character. 

Is teaching people how to value each other not common among the masses in 2007? I don't know. That remains to be determined I guess. I certainly didn't intend to become a downer in this blog. Just kinda thinking aloud here....