Today I went for a walk, hoping to clear my mind. On the way home I came across a family on their bikes. We were moving at a similar pace since they had a couple of children, one being towed behind the father, the older daughter – probably about 4 years old – riding her little pink bike. For the remainder of the Lyndale stretch they were within eyesight and earshot.
Lyndale Drive is closed to thru-traffic on Sundays and holidays so every time a car approached the father would weave across the road with his bike to prevent them from passing, encouraging his wife and daughter to do the same. When the car finally did pass he would yell at the driver. I found myself getting drawn into the unfolding drama. Whatever calm I had gained during the earlier part of my walk was lost. It was like a poison entering my system. I could feel negativity building in my entire body. I started composing a lecture in my head, reprimanding him for putting his family in danger simply to make a point.
Instead, I turned off at the next cross-street while they continued on straight. They were out of site but the I could still feel the negativity pumping through my veins. At that point, the previously blue sky opened up and it began to pour. Despite the fact that I was completely soaked, I felt cleansed and happier than I had in days; all of my negativity washed away. Remember the feeling of running through the sprinkler on a really hot summer day; the sheer delight at getting completely soaked? That’s what I felt walking home in the rain today.
