Please Mind The Gap

 I love the London Underground; it’s a fascinating sensory experience every time.

I’m a Scottish girl raised on smiles and chats, I therefore try to avoid staring into my lap at my phone when travelling. I’m nosey and I need to see what’s happening around me.

This morning, I travelled across London on the tube and found myself mesmerised by the commuters embarking and disembarking.

In my experience, people can be quite reserved in London, often rushing from place to place, but I still smile; Happily giving up my seat to those who need it, saying hello and thank you - even to those who are pushy...

Opening my senses in an attempt to be mindful on my long commute this morning, this is what I observed:
-Two separate make-up tutorials at either end of the carriage.
-Interesting variety of book genres and styles. -A serene woman chanting.
-A calm man studying the Quran.
-An array of aromas from people’s on-the-go food options.
-Folk enjoying snatched naps.
-Fashion trends ranging from steampunk to boho hipster and everything in between.
-A cacophony of different languages. -80% glued to their devices.

I guess if I had my earphones on, my eyes fixed on my device I’d be unaware of those next to me, in front of me, those needing assistance... I might have missed this incredible sensory experience. There is so much to learn in the everyday moments, it’s up to us to stop and take notice of them.

So I would gently suggest: please mind the gap between the platform and the train but me more mindful of the gap you could be creating between yourself and the world around you.