★ There’s No Such Thing as an Eternal Optimist

I’d like to share with you a brief story about my evening. Don’t have time to hear a story? That’s okay, enjoy your day and thanks for stopping by.

Today, I went on a date with Lauren. I think this is date #9. I lost count about two weeks ago but that’s not really important. Not that I plan ahead for such things but I did calendar our first date, ya know, just in case. Anyway, we were going to go see Invictus. The previews for it looked epic and I have read thoroughly into the story of Nelson Mandela and it was directed by Clint Eastwood so I was sure it would be a terrific film and it was.

How the date went actually has nothing to do with my amazing night. Without discrediting the terrific company I had, yes it was a good date but my view on life and my experiences tonight were pretty incredible even if I had no one else to share them with. That’s slightly confusing to me but tonight I was called an optimist. I don’t consider myself an optimist and instead choose to go without a label and simply call myself an observer.

I observe life as it happens and without a filter or judging ego toward it. Sure, enlightened ones may pick on that and say that by looking at things positively, I am applying an ego. Correct and that’s why I’m not enlightened or “awake” but it is safe to say that observing each moment in a positive light is certainly better and more fulfilling than looking at it from a negative perspective.

Lauren and I walked home from dinner. I always am hot no matter where I am. My body heat is amazingly warm so, in the 50 degree weather I still have a polo shirt with light jacket and my trusty Pandora hat keeping me warm. It started raining and we ascended up a few steps to a view of market street lit by carefully placed streetlights and a raindrop made its way into my right eye. I rubbed it out and a streetcar passed and a man and woman were in the bus stop awning hugging. I couldn’t hold back an uncontrolled smile.

Maybe Lauren noticed that I was a bit pre-occupied on the walk home but it’s true. I felt awake and the rain kept me aware and conscious. Rain is a constant reminder that we’re alive. It hits you in the face even when you’re on a cell phone or trying to catch a cab or trying to think about what you’ll do when you get home to cook dinner. Rain falls from the heavens as a reminder to us that we are a part of this world and our concrete jungle and $1200 shoes won’t separate us from this reality.

After dropping off my date, I walked home. I live about 2 blocks away from her place and I passed a popular hotel. There are 7 charter buses outside that said “holiday party” and it appeared that there was some corporate holiday party in this hotel. Suddenly, 6 hotel employees came out with umbrellas and created a temporary shelter to allow hundreds of employees to fall out and enter their buses.

I stopped and watched as couples, friends and colleagues crossed the sidewalk and entered these buses. Everyone was smiling, all were clenched tight to their belongings and some certainly had too much to drink. A hotel employee glanced over to see me standing there with a big smile on my face. He offered to let me through and I declined. For a moment, I was an observer. There was no one to talk to, nothing to tweet, no responsibilities to anyone other than myself and it was amazing. When the first 50 people passed by and entered their buses, I finally was able to make it to my apartment.

At the corner near my apartment, an elderly woman was jaywalking and was almost struck by a car. I waited for her to cross and I asked her if she was having a good night. She passed me for 2-3 feet before realizing I was speaking to her. Clearly having a bad night since I just observed her yelling at a driver who was legally doing the right thing, she looked back and said, “yes son I am. I’d sure appreciate if this god damn rain would stop.” She walked on and so did I.

Our paths didn’t cross, interject or become one. We never shifted, changed or modified our journeys but we did stop momentarily to check up on each other. Two humans executing this project called life stopped to share a couple of words.

6 out of the 7 days a week, my elevator is never waiting on me. Out of 7 floors in my apartment building, the chances of the elevator being on the ground floor is slim so I never fret when it’s time to wait for the elevator. Tonight, it was right there waiting on me. I entered the cold and rainy streets and rain drops were still falling off my hat as I stepped on to the elevator and ascended to my apartment.

I don’t think I’m am optimist. The word doesn’t exist but neither does ascend or rain. It’s only a concept and one that I will choose to not accept. I’m living and living well and it can all change at any moment so for this moment, I’ll appreciate and enjoy it to the fullest.

Thanks for reading.