Stuck on the subway of life

I was stuck in the subway for 45 minutes a few weeks ago and realized that if left undistracted, my creative brain would travel to all the potential horrid reasons we were stuck just 50 feet from our station.

I had noticed a man with a long and beautiful tattoo on his arm.  His tattoo read “The best revenge is living well” and it was in a delicate and readable script.  He was rather buff and tall.  I appreciated the contrast.  I said “I like your tattoo.”  (I know, brilliant.)

He had another tattoo and it was in an ornate and spiraling script and it read “Feminist”  He explained that feminism was seeing the world as experienced from both female and male perspectives equally.

He and his friend and I started talking about choosing joy and living a life well lived when I noticed his friend had a wristband.  So as not to favor one friend over the other, I asked what his said.  He held it out and I read “What you do matters.”

Goosebumps appeared on my arms.  Here I was simply making an attempt to distract myself from the thought of being trapped underground on a sweltering day in NYC and what I was receiving was gifts of wisdom in the most unexpected form.

People on the subway began listening to our conversation and laughter and joined in.  It ended up with many people actively talking about tattoos, feminism, parenting and finding meaning in the work we do.

Even if you don’t love your work deeply, you can connect with your colleagues.  Start small with questions like the latest book she liked or which ice cream he prefers and why.  Over time you may get to God and politics, but it’s not necessary to go controversial to connect.

Connecting with people is a sure-fire way to feel grounded and bring meaning into your every day.  It may not change the way you feel about your job, but it’s likely to change the way you feel about going to work.

p.s. Tattoo-guy is a school social worker and wristband-guy can be found at www.ttmg.org

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