SOMETIMES, ALL WE NEED IS SPACE

You know those people on a bus who use that empty seat beside them for their bag? Or how about those couples in a movie theatre who leave an empty seat between them and the next couple? Do you ever get that same "why are looking at me why don't you just sit somewhere else I don't want to move I hate that you're going to ask me to move maybe if I don't make eye contact they won't want to sit beside me" kind of look when you walk by? Yeah, I do too.

In fact, I'm that person who takes up the empty bus seat with my bag and leaves an empty chair between myself and the couple next to me, and when someone walks by I give that "why are you looking at me why don't you just sit somewhere else I don't want to move I hate that you're going to ask me to move maybe if I don't make eye contact they won't want to sit beside me" kind of look.


The way I see it, sometimes I like to have my own space and want to be left alone.



Now that everyone and their neighbour's dog have cell phones, iPhones, blackberries, iPods and most recently iPads, it's hard to create that space between you and those around you without having to listen to their conversations, music, movies, games, incoming emails, texts or bbms. How do I get my alone time when I'm forced to be involved in other people's lives?



I know I'm not alone. We live in a culture that's always on the go. We rush to go to work/school; rush to do our work once we're there; rush to go home; rush to make dinner, eat and then clean up - we're constantly in a hurry to live. Why can't we just take some time to relax and give ourselves that moment to breathe. Better yet, why can't we give others that moment?

I'm always hearing how I need to socialize with everyone and how I should be around company to hear their stories. Yes, I know I don't live alone and when I'm with company it's polite to interact with them. But sometimes, I just want to be by myself. I want that quiet moment to breathe and think.... I'm sure we have all wanted time to ourselves. Why then does it become an issue to want space but not let others have it?

So the next time you see that person on the bus with the bag or that couple in a movie theatre with that empty seat, don't judge them if they give you a certain look and don't make eye contact. Maybe they want their space; that moment to relax. Wouldn't it be more rude not giving them that opportunity?

Thoughts?