In some big cities, the level of stress is often palpable as is the sharpness of mind that emanates from a careful, cautious, closed, congested or clogged heart. Not always, mind you.
In our quest to get something or be somewhere, we can look past and ignore what is right in front of us, seeking stimulation and sensory pleasure in things beyond what we do.
The chasing and needing, pushing and wanting sees us fast-forward moments and lose presence in favour of thoughts and places we would rather be.
In this way, people and places, cars and traffic can all seem like obstacles and inconveniences that are there to derail or delay us getting to what we think we want. Our need can then turn to a level of coldness and meanness.
Yet, one of the qualities of a conscious, aware person is often a full and open heart that extends kindness with respect to oneself and others, perhaps with boundaries too.
For those to whom kindness is lost, or forced, all one can do is allow them to be and perhaps step to the side so the frenetic and furious energy can move around you to go as it needs to where it is going.
As I often say, kindness is not weakness; it is wakefulness.
Like the waves that lap the shore, if one does not catch this wave of awareness, there are plenty more to follow and flow in the natural order of life.