Ah, the benefits of the bus

About this blog

Welcome to the blog of the Enough for Everyone program of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). By "just living" we mean both justice-based living and just simply living – freeing ourselves from the clutter of stuff so we can focus on living faithfully and living well. Join us in the exploration!

About the Author
Bryce Wiebe coordinates Enough for Everyone, a ministry of the Presbyterian Hunger Program. He loves slow food and is fascinated by the way things are made. He is excited to dive into experiments in simplicity with you. His sacred cow of consumption: kitchen gadgets.

Ah, the benefits of the bus

Melanie Hardison

Last week I started riding the bus to work again. I recently moved, and I truly enjoy the walkability of my new neighborhood and its proximity to almost all the things I need. The bus line is one.

On a typical morning these days, I find myself walking down my new street to the bus, marveling at the gorgeous colors and breathing the crisp air of Autumn. It's a short walk and in no time I'm at the bus stop, where there is a bench and pretty landscaping. Sometimes I just look around and wait, taking in my new neighborhood, and sometimes I read. On the bus I can mentally prepare for the day, read, meditate or pray. If I plan ahead I find that I can even get a few things done.

Sometimes, too, I run into a co-worker or friend, which provides an opportunity to visit and catch up. Sometimes I chat with a stranger or realize that faces are starting to become familiar. I feel a sense of community interacting with the people around me - I'm not isolated in my car. I'm also saving gasoline and money, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and decreasing my chances of injury (and insurance rates going up) by having an accident. The whole experience provides so many benefits.

But perhaps my favorite thing about riding the bus is that it carries me. Riding the bus seems to evoke the sensation similar to what my body remembers from being carried and held as a child. It's a nice feeling to just be carried along, free from having to drive, worry about traffic, feel hurried, and find a parking place. I simply get on board and sit, allowing the big long box that is the bus carry me safely to my destination. It's a part of the day I don't have to worry about; I can be present and simply enjoy.

Sure there will be days that I will drive my car, and some days (when the weather is nice) I will ride my bike. Who knows, one day I may even walk the 3.6 miles to work! But for now, I'm lovin' the bus.

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