I just returned from a trip to Oregon, teaching some psilocybin facilitators who are going to bring this work into the world. I had a late flight arrival time, and I forgot that there aren’t just a bunch of cabs waiting to pick people up at the airport. So I found a cab and asked if he was available and he said yes.
To cut a long story a bit shorter, I actually ended up scheduling a cab for the return trip to the airport and they assigned the same person to that trip too. This driver’s name was Bruce.
So Bruce and I were talking, just kind of shooting the shit. And he asks me what I like to read. So I tell him that when I do have time to read, I love fantasy, sci-fi, and personal growth stuff, like Buddhist texts and things.
And he’s like, “me too.” So I ask him to tell me more, and he was like, “Like, Pema Chodron.” And yall know I love Pema Chodron! Then he says, “What about Thich Nhat Hanh?” And I said, “yes.” And he goes, “I really love his stuff. You know? They really teach me to be a good person.”
Then he tells me about these workshops he’s done with the Gottman Institute, and I’m so surprised and excited. I ask him, “When were you doing this? Not a lot of people have the time or money to spend on this.” And he says he did it when he was married.
He’s just sharing all this growth with me and I’m getting teary-eyed thinking about where this leads up to.
Then Bruce says, “You know, I think about how I’m just a cab driver, and how, you know, if I’m nice to someone and I can decrease their stress, maybe they won’t go home and beat their wife. Or maybe if I can make someone’s life a little easier, they’ll be nice to other people.”
And I tell him, “You do.” I explain to him how stressed I was the night I arrived so late and there was no one available to drive me. And then I saw him off in the distance and how he went out of his way to help me.
We talked about how we can make such a difference in people’s lives when we just kind of go out of our way to be kind. The little ways that we can make such a big difference in people’s lives when we’re not even aware.
So I get out of the cab and say, “Bye, Bruce. You’re amazing.” And he gives me the business card and reminds me to book a cab for future trips. I kind of notice that he’s given me a couple cards, but my hands are full and I don’t really look at the time.
When I get to the gate, I glance at what he’s given me, and I see that the second card is a list of his fave books by Thich Nhat Hanh and Pema Chodron.
I love that this man was like, “How can I take my job and touch people in a way that might change their lives, that might change the trajectory of their life, that impacts how they treat people, the level of suffering that’s brought into the world, or the level of joy that’s brought into the world.”
My friends, touch people in this way, without attachment to the fruits, without wanting credit.
Little kindnesses, little ways Bruce made my life so much less stressful in those little moments. He’s right – I was kinder and more patient as a result.
So today I invite you to reflect. You’ve heard me say that our sole purpose isn’t our career. But do you really believe that? Do you know that it happens in the way you show up in the world, the things you want to spend time on in your interactions with people, the conversations you want to have?
If you don’t believe that, look for this still, small voice that can be amplified or move quietly through the world, or however it is. That is your sole purpose.
You will learn:
// How two short interactions with a random stranger completely changed my life
// How each of us can make a big difference in someone’s life, even when we don’t know it
// Why our sole purpose isn’t just our career
Resources:
// Episode 71: How to Find Your Purpose
// Episode 183: The Thread That Weaves
// Episode 272: Would You Still Do It If No One Knew?
// If you’re new to the squad, grab the Rebel Buddhist Toolkit I created at RebelBuddhist.com. It has all you need to start creating a life of more freedom, adventure, and purpose. You’ll also get access to the Rebel Buddhist private group, and tune in every Wednesday as I go live with new inspiration and topics.
// Want something more self-paced with access to weekly group support and getting coached by yours truly? Check out Freedom School – the community for ALL things related to freedom, inside and out. We dive into taking wisdom and applying it to our daily lives, with different topics every month. Learn more at JoinFreedomSchool.com. I can’t wait to see you there!
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