For the Love of Public Transit

Below is something I posted in February 2007 (one year ago) that I still like, so I am reposting it here.

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"As noted in my last post, I sold my car a few weeks ago. I was sad then, but my love of public transportation has relieved many of those negative feelings. Now, let me tell you why I love the bus so much.
Sitting on the bus, I do not have to do anything. I sit, I look out the window and see new things I have not noticed before, I listen to music. I do not have to worry about my driving, I just have to be there. Our lives can get too hurried, but on the bus, we just have to sit and that change of pace is so wonderful. It may not seem wonderful at times though. I am now at the mercy of the bus schedule. No longer do I decide when I leave or when I arrive. How is this a good thing? Well, I think its a wonderful lesson to learn everyday: it's not about me. Having to be on someone else's schedule is, I think, spiritually healthy. I have to plan around the bus, I have to manage my time appropriately, I have to leave room in my schedule for travelling, which means I also get room to breathe. I can't do as much if it means travelling from one end of the city to the other and that also slows me down. Patience is not valued in our world today, but I am forced to learn it on the bus. And that will flow into the rest of my life.
Another lesson learnt from the bus that is of being placed in uncomfortable situations. Let's be serious, some people on the bus stinck, some say weird things, some don't look so good. And when I'm on the bus with those people, there's no where to escape. I have to confront my discomfort. This, too, is a very good thing; something that I think is also spiritually healthy. And again, something that can have positive effects on other aspects of life. I can handle not be comfortable. Who ever said comfort was ideal. Comfort doesn't take me anywhere, it just leads to complacency.
Finally, the bus is a community. Now, I am not known for being the friendliest person, and in all honesty I usually have headphones on when I ride the bus, but that doesn't stop people from talking to me. And if I were friendlier, I would have people to talk to. There is no opportunity to build community when sitting in car (except with those inside your car, and you likely already know them), but on the bus or at the bus stop, there is nothing but opportunity. And this too is spiritually healthy. The bus connects me to people that I wouldn't otherwise connect to. There we all sit, going in the same direction, seeing the same things, together.
This slowing down is something I really value. Not that my life was crazy hectic before, but I think keeping things slow, having time to contemplate (perhaps even pray), having time to see the world around me, especially the people around me, is where I want to be.
Not to mention the environmental benefits.
Though it has been annoying at times not having a car, and I am certainly glad the weather is warming, I have thoroughly enjoyed my bus rides."

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I now have my car back. I am glad in this -40 degree weather and I have been using it a lot. But I still ride the bus a lot. And I still love it. (Except for the waiting in -40 degree weather thing.)