connection..

I saw the migration for the first time today. I’m sure it happens everyday, around the same time, perhaps even for the same reason. Moving quickly in an almost choreographed motion, they funnel together. The migration is almost surreal. Watching them come from every street and alley, every direction, their goal the same – the sky train station.

Suits and shorts, ties and track pants. Smiling faces and furrowed brows. People who just jumped out of the shower, people who just rolled out of bed. Every age and every skin tone. All moving, for that moment, in a common direction. This morning, as a member of the transit “dance,” I couldn’t help but wonder where everyone was going.

Everyone wearing their uniform accessories – headphones. Everyone so close physically but in their own world, intentionally distracted by the noise in their ears. What could be so important that we would listen isolated instead of engaging the people around us?

As humans, we long for connection with people. Then why don’t we connect? Are we afraid of being the initiators? Too focused on ourselves? Consumed by my the big M - Me… We long for a hello or a smile or a nod, but we don’t want to be the first to give it in case… in case what? So what if we see no response? What if my smile is the only one she sees all day? I know, it’s extreme. But really, who knows…