I’m a big believer in the little things. A lot of these little things have been popping up lately and I’m sharing them as a reminder to keep them pretty eyes open to the world around you. It’s an even bigger reminder to me as I can get so wrapped up in how things are without realizing what that can be.

Flash back to Friday.
Scene: Me on my way to a meeting. I had scrambled 15 minutes earlier to inform the client of my later arrival time. In a fluster and not super excited about being back at the building where only a few weeks earlier I was contesting my $600 tow charge, I hurriedly step into the elevator with five other strangers. Queue music from two custodial workers’ speaker:

So Mister postman look and see
Is there a letter in your bag for me
I been waiting a long long time
Since I heard from that girlfriend of mine

You gotta wait a minute, wait a minute
You gotta wait a minute, wait a minute…

A sly smile from the woman closest to the buttons, I chuckle, and – oh, what’s that? – a tap of the foot from Mr. Grumpy who fumbled in through almost-closed elevator doors with his coffee. I can’t speak for everyone on that elevator but I’m pretty sure spirits were lifted (I couldn’t help myself. C’mon guys, you should know me by now).

Later that day:
Muni bus 9. A total of 7 stops to my destination and it might as well have been 27. The bus reeked of body odor dirty hair. Sardine-packed, two wheelchairs, three dogs, a man preaching about the impending Clinton monarchy and a vicious guard dog blocking the exit. My brow furrowed, eyes narrowed. As we approach what I hope to be the second to last stop, I peer out the window hopelessly at a homeless woman with a cart full of belongings wondering how on earth we can fit one more on this bus. She shyly smiles and starts blowing kisses at me, waving.

I shake my head a couple times, and realize that in this city with all the crazy, there are glimmers of humanity, silliness, realness – people just being who they are. It brought my eyebrows down to their normal position and even put a smile on my face.

Okay, so dating. What I’ve noticed in my recent dating ventures is just this – me getting all caught up in my head what’s working, what’s not working, and just like bus #9 thinking: will this ever get to where I’m going? Then he puts a slight hand on the small of my back and this gesture puts everything at ease, even if just for a bit. It’s the moment where the over-active brain gives way to serenity, surrender, and comfort. A blown kiss through the cloudy muni window. Alright guys, I’m not saying adopt this as your game-changer maneuver, but it really is about those small, seemingly minute motions that say hey, be here with me for a second.

You gotta wait a minute, wait a minute
You gotta wait a minute, wait a minute…