Today I was on the bus on my way to a dental appointment.
I get a little anxious about dental appointments and as I was
trying to think of things to calm myself I started thinking about this
weeks prompt at In Other Words;
“Remember no one can make you feel inferior
without your consent.”
Eleanor Roosevelt
or
~~~inferior/consent~~~
While I was thinking of Eleanor Roosevelt a man got on the bus.
He was very old, very little, very frail and very shy.
He did not speak or look at anyone. He just looked at the floor.
He had great difficulty getting on and off the bus.
He got off the bus going down the steps very slowly…and backwards.
Then while on the bus coming home a man came and sat with me.
He was kind of old, kind of big, kind of hearty and kind of outgoing.
As we rode along we talked and laughed.
I learned he likes liver and onions, prays every day, takes early morning walks,
is an amateur astronomer and is concerned about the hungry and homeless.
I wonder why one man on the bus seemed to be so frightened.
Does he feel inferior because of his physical condition?
And why is the other man so friendly?
Because he is strong and healthy?
I wanted to give both men a hug. For different reasons.
But I gave neither one a hug. For different reasons.
I am linking to In Other Words and Tuesday Chatter
Patricia's Place 
I love the contrast of the two men you encountered while riding the bus. Most of us fall in one category or the other or somewhere in between. Somedays I might be the outgoing conversationalist sitting next to you and chatting away, other days I might be the one with head down, deep in my own thoughts and insecure feelings. I suspect that the kindness you felt toward both men generated energy which reached them, even if they were unaware.
I am usually quiet around people I don’t know unless they start a conversation. Once that happens I am happy to join in.
maybe the first man was just too tired to talk?
I am sure he was tired…he looked tired, but he looked so afraid.
You are a wonderful human, Patricia, with a huge heart. ❤
No, I am just a woman who tries to see people. Too often we don’t really see who is around us and that is something I am trying to change about myself.
❤ ❤ ❤
This is so true, we all pass each other with our eyes cast away, or worse yet stuck in our phone screens. What if we took a moment to connect with those around us, what a difference it could make!
I recently realized I rarely connect with people I don’t know. It’s like I don’t really see them. I am trying to change that. I want to be part of life around me not just taking up space and breathing the air.
My sister in law is facing this issue now with a deteriorating muscle condition. It breaks my heart.
It is sad to have to live with adversity of any kind but when it is coming from your own body it is especially hard. It is heartbreaking.
Very well illustrated visually and literally. Taking the time to look around and think about your world is an important habit to make.
Thanks. It is true that we are often too busy with our own lives to see others and that is sad.
You answered the prompt with prose. Very nicely done. I like the comparison of two people and how you were affected by them.
Thank you. The differences were striking. The one man broke my heart and the other made me happy.
Well said McGuffy Ann. Perfect blog for the quote, Patricia.
Thank you, ma am.
It is sad how sometimes disabilities can make us feel inferior. I have felt that way at times. It can be embarrassing to be in the spotlight, but not by choice or for a good reason. It makes it hard to reach out and try to relate when no one can truly relate to you.
I can understand the frustrations. We all need to know we are of value regardless of our less than perfect selves.