Trying to catch a taxi in the height of the evening commute in Mumbai starts with chaos and quickly moves to overwhelming. People are everywhere. Sidewalks and roads are filled with individuals going in one direction, forcing cars and everyone else to dodge and weave. Add to the mix a random number trying to cross the road where they can, and chaos lives.
As I wrestled with the decision of flagging a taxi or walking, my heart reminded me that I could use the exercise. My head on the other hand wanted to just relax and not think. Somehow this initially led me to the call that a taxi was the answer.
Initially I threw myself into the mix. Standing one to two lanes into the road along with others, waving my arm. A decision point quickly followed as I was pushed, run over, and even shoved out of the way by others jumping by and through me to get to the taxi first. It would be easy to blame my lack of being comfortable talking in Hindi for my hesitation. In truth, it bothers me to use my bulk to get my way.
After losing multiple battles, my manhood refuses to acknowledge how many and to whom, I opted for walking. By the time I got back I was sure I had made the right choice. Interesting people, good exercise, and not too much coughing from the smog. All in all, a great ending.
As I walked, reflecting on my choice, I was reminded of the following.
We may think nobody cares about our decisions and behavior, but our hearts and the Divinity residing within does. “Do you think the trainer of nations doesn’t correct, the teacher of Adam doesn’t know?” (Psalm 94.10)
Our actions reinforce the values and priorities that determine what we do next. We act before thinking. The action we just took will inform what we do next.
Our hearts often know what is best for us. Listening, not to the desires but to the cries deep within, is a good start.
