Touching Happens
Lesson Four

Touching, bumping, elbowing, stepping-on, leaning into, falling against....it all happens.  And, occasionally, someone sits on someone.  Can't be helped or avoided.  It is a fact of life which exists when in close proximity to others in a moving vehicle.

What could be learned from this fact? hmmmmmm

Be nice.  Be polite.  Say and mean the words "I'm sorry"  Laugh and get over your pride.

Help someone if they're off balance.  Ask them if they're alright.  Offer your seat if it seems that someone can't stand without bungling into those around them.

And touching another human being isn't a bad thing anyway.  We're traveling together so we may as well feel connected.  Right?

I witnessed a co-worker lose his footing and land across two seats.  Luckily, there was no one in those seats.  Otherwise, there would have been someone reclined in their laps.  He was embarrassed and got up quickly without looking around. 

I chuckled for days.  Not because he was embarrassed.  Just because it was funny.  A normally dignified and got it together guy lost his balance and looked foolish for a minute.  I guess I was just laughing at his humanity which he had a really tough time accepting at that moment.

All of us look foolish.  All of us get embarrassed.  All of us fall, trip, misstep, or any number of things.  We get into other's space or bother them when this occurs.  

Can we accept their apologies or offer assistance?  Laugh and keep it simple?  Cry and keep it real?

We're together.  Touching can't be avoided.