He rushes onto the C-train, his backpack slung off one arm, a travel mug in one hand, a slice of toast wrapped in paper towel in the other. He stands, both feet planted firmly on the train platform, balancing himself as it lurches forward.

He’s in a rush. To get to school. Gotta eat on the run.

She races towards the doors of he C-train, sticks her arm in between the about to close doors and slips through the crack. Leaning against a glass divider, she pulls out her mirror and begins to apply her make-up.

She’s in a rush. To work. To a meeting. Somewhere. Gotta get prettied up on the run.

He dashes across the C-train tracks as the light is turning from flashing amber to red. Down the avenue, a train is coming closer. It blasts its horn to encourage the man racing across the tracks to get out of the way. He ignores it.

He’s in a rush. Somewhere. Gotta beat the train.

I see it everywhere. People rushing, racing to catch, the train, the light, time.

And I look at my life and wonder, where do I do it too?

And I laugh. Even though it’s not really all that funny.

Some mornings, especially those where I’m driving myself to work and not taking the C-train, I get in my car, to-go cup in the cup holder, cut up slices of an apple in a baggie on the seat beside me. I munch and sip as I drive into the city center and see other drivers munching and sipping all along my route.

We are a hurry up and get there, get ‘er done, let’s get going, times a’wastin’ kind of town.

In my awareness, I am reminded to slow down and breathe. To put thought into each moment, to savour each breath, enjoy the here and now.

In my awareness, I commit to honouring time passing with my presence firmly planted in the here and now.

Namaste.

On Tuesday, the Calgary Homeless Foundation where I work, honoured recipients of the Arthur R. Smith Awards.

The amazing Bandi, photographer extraordinaire, took some wonderful photos of the people at the event. Here’s one of my very favourites.

Sharyn, Louise, Wendy