The word evokes countless hours sitting in a car, behind the
wheel, making sure to not get too close to the car ahead of me or hearing the zooming
noise of cars speeding by me. Streets, highways, roads, traffic lights, pedestrians,
cops… the only pleasant commute I had before was with my car pool buddies. I
still miss them and miss our profound conversations, racist jokes, quiet rides,
even naps and of course, our breakfast sandwiches study and the never ending
bets about roadworks and the construction of the bridge. We used to laugh so
much.
Then for a while, a dull, unpleasant commute that got worse
and worse every time. Once I was stuck in a 5 block distance for one hour and a
half. Being late to work and then being called on it, made it even worse. Why
was I even trying? Ultimately I guess it boiled down to hating where I was
going, place of poison, disrespect and little to no personal reward. I even
described it as a jail sentence sometime, as a hellhole when things went even
more wrong.
But things change and with the arrival of Spring and a much
better destination in so many ways, my commute is pleasant, filled with views
of snow-capped mountains, blue ocean shores, interminable fields, eagles flying
or perched on majestic treetops, seagulls diving for the morning catch, crows
gathering along the fence, patches of fog floating around and giving an
ethereal look to a mundane highway with the backdrop of the perfect sunrise or
a most colourful sunset.
I do happen to live in one of the most beautiful corners of
the world, after all. And I guess that I am also fortunate to finally,
seemingly, have found a balance in my life because I love to commute to work
and I also love to commute back home to the family that makes my life whole.
