A Good Human
Today, I left home around 7 am and headed to the subway to run some errands before heading to the library. As you can imagine, folks were not having it on the train that early in the morning. You know how it is on that morning commute when people are still waking up and quite overwhelmed with what the day has yet to bring. Even if they’re joyful, you’re still not ready for the shenanigans – just yet.
Now maybe you either love, or don’t love subway performances that early in the morning. Perhaps you’re indifferent? I mean, I suppose it just depends on where your mindset is at that given moment. Now, in full disclosure, I’m usually not a fan of the shenanigans before noon, but this day was different.
A man, with very long locked hair, an acoustic guitar, and a silky smooth voice sang beautifully as he walked up and down the car. There was a sticker on his guitar that read: A Good Human. His voice had a Caribbean dialect that emerged beautifully as he sung. I couldn’t make out the dialect specifically but the cadence of his voice was quite powerful. I was reminded of the soft voice of Wayne Wonder. Remember, “No Letting Go?” So, this wonderful spirit began to sing about love, peace, and finding purpose in life. I took one of my earbuds out and listened. As I listened to him more and more I began to smile. Others around me smiled, too. When we arrived at my stop, he walked off the train car and went into the next car. I noticed that his hands were always clutching onto the strap and body of the guitar. He never asked anyone for money – and it struck me – that he was simply up early with the rest of the herd sending everyone a beautiful message they could take with them for their day. For their week. For their lives. It was quite profound. Nothing was forced. It was all just there for the taking or for the leaving. Everyone got a personal soundtrack for the day – for free – if we were so inclined to receive it.
