What’s Your Better Bus?

“Woke up, fell out of bed,
Dragged a comb across my head
Found my way downstairs and drank a cup,
And looking up I noticed I was late.
Found my coat and grabbed my hat
Made the bus in seconds flat.”

A Day In The Life by the Beatles always haunts me when I obviously miss my bus.  Obviously meaning I watch it roll down the street, without me on it.  Ouch.  And then I think “how does he dooooo it?”

One morning, humming that song after seriously missing my bus, balancing my book, coffee and purse against the bus-stop post, I was settled in for the 20 minute wait until the next bus rolled up.  Then, a minor urban miracle happened.

Another bus pulled up. 

It too was a rapid, meaning less stops, to downtown.  As I entered, I witnessed something I’d never seen before – a completely empty city bus.  Clean and quiet, I chose the very best seat. (Isle, right behind the middle door, extra legroom and rarely will someone sit in the inside seat there.) With no other passengers to request stops, we flew into downtown.  All the bus stops along the way were similarly empty, because the bus that I just just missed, minutes before, had collected all of those dutiful commuters.

I felt like I was getting away with something.  My own private bus, luxurious.  I started thinking about other unexpected presents that sprout from seemingly missed opportunities.  Those moments when you think all is lost, when zoom! another, better bus rolls up.

So that’s the game I play with myself now.  When I miss the bus, or feel like I’ve somehow ‘lost’ an opportunity I think where’s the better bus?

What’s the better opportunity already in motion towards me?  What do I not realize I am waiting for?  What’s the unexpected present that’s going to roll my way out of this.

It’s fun, and it’s an instant perspective shift.  It takes me out of mopey, foot-scuff-I-missed the bus into ‘What’s the unexpected? what’s the new and different that will happen here?’ and inevitably, something does.

It works with all sorts of situations, not just bus riding.  Relationships, job opportunities, plans with friends.  It’s a more dynamic version of ‘when one door opens.’

That’s the game! When you are feeling like you just lost an opportunity, start asking yourself, what’s your better bus?

Have you already experienced this? Share in the comments a time when something delightful and unexpectedly good happened out of a perceived disappointment, I’d love to hear!

Ellen Ercolini is a Career and Life Coach dedicated to helping you figure our your life passion and purpose, so you can have the profession (and profits!) you want.  Curious how she can impact your life? Schedule your free superhero session with her here.

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