Philosophy From Behind The Wheel

I was strapped down and buckled in. We pulled out of the driveway and headed up to the office. I hadn't used the WheelTrans system for a while so it felt odd to be in the van and tied down. The driver informed me that we had lots of time because his other pick up had cancelled, I was going to get a non-stop ride. We headed up Avenue Road and then he took a turn onto St. Clair which surprised me. I've ridden with many drivers but have never turned onto that street. We drove only a couple of blocks and he turned north again on a sidestreet that I'd never been on before.

The road was completely clear of traffic. It was a beautiful sunny morning and the light dappled green through the trees. The houses were spectacular and the gardens lovely. I mentioned that I'd never been on that street before. He said, 'I like riding one street over from the one that busy people travel.' Then we fell into a relaxed conversation about various houses, we imagined aloud living in places that magnificent.

Suddenly we were on Eglinton and we drove the rest of the way like I'd done a thousand times before. I arrived at work in plenty of time and thanked him for a lovely ride.

Later on in the day I had a staff come to me with a question and a concern. I was busy doing something that needed to be done. But I decided to ride one street over from the busy one ... and took the time to listen and, in the end, learn.

Even later, I had just put the phone down after having written a list of tasks that I need to get done this week and was looking for a file to attach to an email. A woman with a disability popped in to say hello. I almost gave her the 'I'm busy' smile but I decided to make my way down the street one over from the one that busy people travel. Again, I listened, I learned, I even laughed.

Oddly, he got me to work faster.

Even more oddly, I got more work done.

Perhaps there is a deep philosophy to be found in driving a cab and riding one street over.