The Wheels On the Bus

Sometimes it seems like things never change. That's kind of funny since the one stable, dependable thing in life is change. But why is it that sometimes it feels like "nothing ever changes."
It's the wheels on the bus syndrome. The song says, "the wheels on the bus go round and round, round and round, round and round. The wheels on the bus go round and round all 'round the town."
The focus is on the wheels. The monotony. The sameness. It makes for a good song for children, but it's a dangerous mindset for us as people. The real focus could be what is happening in the town.........while the wheels keep going round and round. Looking beyond the wheels to the place and the people outside.
What are the "wheels" in your life? Illness? Pain? Struggles? Temptations? Anger? Disappointment? Death? Hopelessness? Marriage? Engagement? Parents? Children? Divorce? Job? What is it that takes your attention and makes it feel like nothing ever changes?
It's ok to realize, sometimes painfully, that some relationships have not ever changed. They might someday, but as for now, they have not. But they cannot consume you.
It's ok if you are ill to have a pity party now and then and wish that it were different.
It's ok to mourn. It's ok to be disappointed.
It's ok to KNOW that the wheels on the bus go round and round.........but they can't be your focus.
Look outside the bus window. At the park where the children are playing. At the zoo where the people are laughing. At the schools. At the old town shops. Look at the old folks coming out of the cafe after their morning coffee ritual. At the churches. At the malls. LOOK at the people. All around you. All with their own wheels going round and round too. Things that just never really let up. Things that if they become the focus will destroy.
But when you look out of the bus window, you will smile. The little girl that just slid into third on the ballfields. The dog licking the child's ice cream. The mama pushing her stroller. New life. LIFE.
In the midst of all of the pain and struggles, there is life. And life is a gift. It is good. It is full of options. There's a lot to focus on.
But it's a choice. Those wheels can be pretty consuming sometimes. The sound. The hum. The consistency. It's easy to be drawn into just focussing on them with tunnel vision. Oh, but please don't. I beg you. LOOK around. ENJOY.
Eat good food. Laugh with people. Talk to people. Cry with people. Get involved in more than the wheels on your bus. Everyone is on a bus. Everyone has wheels that seem to demand their attention, but they are just background noise. The real stuff of life is where you are driving through.
Or driving 'round. You know, "all 'round the town." You are part of a world much bigger than your own wheels. You get to smile at others. You get to wave. You get to give hugs. And if others quit focusing on their wheels, then you get those things too.
I am amazed at how few people smile. Look in eyes. Stop. Listen. Share. Eat together. Have coffee. Ya know? It used to be the norm. But now each person seems to be consumed by his/her own stuff.
My challenge to you today is to look around your town. Ok, maybe your family. Or your friends. We are bad about taking friends and family forgranted. We get so involved with our obsession of our own wheels that we forget that they have wheels going round and round too. We forget that everyone has pain. Everyone has baggage.
So, smile at someone. Wave. Give up your seat on the bus. Maybe..........I know, this will seem like a lot, maybe get off of your bus today and go ride on someone else's.
You are loved.
blessings,
rhonda