I lost my pre-tax unlimited ride subway card this past week and because of a very antiquated/ unnecessarily complicated system, I am unable to get a free replacement. This has happened before, but not so early in the month. My first reaction: Oh no!!! A couple hours later: frustrated that I was so negligent and careless. A couple days later: why don't I take this opportunity and look on the bright side. So I did, and so far it has made such a difference in my conscious and unconscious state of being.
Since I knew I couldn't just walk everywhere I went ahead and bought a $20 subway card which yields 8 or 9 rides. This has lasted me all week and I may still have a couple rides left on the card. My "bright side" perspective is that I no longer have an excuse not to walk to and from work, unless it's raining, I have to be somewhere quickly, or I'm traveling farther than say 30 blocks. The thought of essentially losing $100 and having to have to pay more to use public transportation was extremely disheartening, but choosing to walk to save a little money is not such a nuissance after all. I realized I actually take pleasure in it because it takes me out of my usual routine. I can be stimulated by taking a new route to and from work everyday and maybe call someone on the way or stumble on a new restaurant or store.
It made me think how attached I am to certain routines and when they seem to make life easier, like this one, how adamant I am about sticking with them. But when reality shifts and I am forced to take an alternate path, those habits, both mental and physical, are broken and a new door is opened that allows me to see better. The world feels more spacious and possibilities more abundant this way.
Here's to letting go of attachment and allowing the universe to open our minds and hearts in funky, unexpected ways this new year!