| The invitation to greatness is usually unadorned. I was reminded of this from a true story I heard Elizabeth Gilbert narrate about a New York bus driver recently. It was several years ago, late afternoon and the weather was dark, cold and bleak as rain poured down, matching the mood of the passengers that day. As she boarded the bus, Elizabeth couldn’t help but see and feel the heavy hearts of those around her. The bus driver interrupted her thoughts with an announcement: “Ladies and gentleman, I am Mike, your bus driver. I know it is cold and dark and many of you have had a hard day. And so I have a request. As you leave the bus, I will open my palm, and I ask you to place your troubles in it, so that as you go, you give them to me, and not take them home to your families.” There was a little laugh as people heard this, but one-by-one as they alighted the bus, they did as he requested and handed him their troubles. Spellbound, Elizabeth stayed on the bus until it terminated at the Hudson River, to see what the bus driver would do next. Once he parked his bus, he elaborately heaved the imaginary troubles into the river. This story reminds us that heroes don’t always wear capes. They walk among us each day, using the circumstances in front of them to lighten the mood and load of those around them with humour, a smile, theatre or a kind word. We all hold the invitation. Be sure and open it. |
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