Crossing the street
I was walking down the road. Dark, damp and wet. London at its finest. Raindrops were gently dispersing light from passing cars. Puddles on the asphalt lightly inverting the world and its colours. Making the grey sky within grasp. The traffic light in front of me gradually changed from green to red as I was approaching the transition field. As I stood there absorbing artificial colours of our world, I found myself indulging in different kind of thoughts. How did our eyes adjust to the concept of being a Being in a human-made world? Why do I have to wait for a metal beam with wires to dictate when I can cross the street? I understand that cars at high speed are passing by and I must wait for my safety. Are we dictated by a set of rules we subconsciously follow to ensure equal rights? I don’t know. I just stood there staring at the red light, waiting impatiently to cross. Although I ask myself, why am I in such a hurry? Why don’t I stand here a bit more? I started to rethink my stance. I am enjoying the rain, the sound of engines working diligently to deliver its owner to his or her desired destination. The sound of tires grabbing the light surface of the water on the ground and throwing it away. The traffic light started to alter, from green to yellow and then red. The pedestrians light switched to green. A symbol of a green man lit up, with it the sound of a hurry. A pattern of beat started to indicate the amount of time I had at disposal to cross the street. The sound began to beat faster, confusing and rushing my entire existence. I did not move, I stood there, wet. I want to understand why I am standing there, enjoying the rain. Experiencing the weight of my clothes as gravity and water are gently dragging them down. Every movement I made was slightly more stringent than the previous.
With every drop, I get more wet, with every drop I drown more. Drowning in a stream of consciousness with thoughts and images. The sounds, lights and people passing me addressed my incapacity to move. However, I was enjoying this moment. With this heartwarming moment, my mind started to clear. Thoughts were evaporating into thin air with it my doubts and stress, heating my body within. I was not cold anymore.
On the other side of the street, I see two gentlemen glancing over their shoulders before almost running to the other side. The light was red, and a car in the far distance was steadily approaching, yet they choose to risk their safety and cross the street in a hurry. Why do you not enjoy this moment as I do, I ask myself. Why are you in such a rush to cross the street? Why do you risk your safety in order to be a couple of seconds earlier to your destination? I came to the realization that I was the same a couple of moments ago. I also wanted to hurry, refusing the idea of wet clothes and embracing the warmth of my covers. I am glad that I stood there. Patiently waiting. With it, the serenity of my mind. No words can describe the peace I felt when I embraced my incapacity to withstand the rain. Sometimes I need to allow life to take its course. I cannot be in control of everything. However, I can control my fears. I can control the rain by not controlling it. Like every water analogy, I cannot stop the flow of water. I can be one with it, embracing it. Align my attitude with what the universe is dishing up. Be in harmony with myself so that I can cross the street. And so, I did.
