Can a conversation with a taxi driver alter your life’s journey?
Recently I was very privileged to have a conversation with what I can only describe as an amazing human “being” – a taxi driver. He told me he was 80 and when asked why he wasn’t retired and taking life easy, he said his wife had died recently and he had nobody to talk to at home. I though how sad and lonely that must be but he proceed to tell me that he took up taxi driving because he enjoyed chatting to customers.
He told me he had come through throat cancer, a heart attack, a stroke and recently had his knee replaced. His friend introduced him to music and as a result he has been going to college, learning music for the last 3 years. I told him he was amazing and asked what was his secret? He replied “two things, attitude and altitude”. I asked what he meant and was blown away when he said “It’s all down to how I look at things, my “attitude” and my love of sky diving or “altitude”. His last sky dive was in February of this year! He also uses Facebook! Hands up anybody who would like to be this adventurous, tech savvy and active at 80 plus!
So can we broaden our horizons of understanding of life by studying our taxi driver? How many widows or widowers are home alone and lonely? How difficult must life be when a life-partner dies and leaves you all alone? How many days might you go without talking to another adult? What determination and resilience must it take to face up to this new stage of life? If our mental and physical health allow, we can seek out social interaction and new challenges. However, if our physical health restricts our movement, life’s horizons becomes limited. Likewise if anxiety or depression are present, it might accelerate loneliness by resisting social interaction and increasing isolation. Can we be proactive like this taxi driver? How can we continue “being” when life as we knew it is no more? Our taxi driver resisted isolation, he sought out social interaction – human company through his taxi business. He engaged in new learning. He maintained a positive attitude and took on new challenges in life and online. And what can we do? We can begin by questioning our attitude to life. Are we on a roundabout, just going round and round? In other words are we living without questioning our thoughts and behaviours? Are we caught in ground-hog day, denying ourselves the opportunity to grow, to learn from our experiences. We can take time out to consider ourselves, our family and our neighbours. Let’s keep an eye out in our family and neighbourhood for somebody who might be a lonely and give a gentle check-in to ascertain how they’re coping. Or how about visiting a local Nursing or Retirement Home. Maybe our visit could brighten somebody’s day and we might even be takenaback by how positive that makes us feel!
I wish you a day filled with happiness in your own company or in the company of others!
March 27, 2019 at 1:48 pm
Such a precious man, spirited and determined.
A great lesson in there for us all.
Our attitude does determine our altitude in life.
Another thing, the younger generation would do well to learn from…
Our elders have so much to live for, age is but a number.
We can learn from them, their experiences are hard-won.
At our company, of civil engineers, we actually take notes from our Senior Civil Engineer (75±).
We record lessons and disseminate that information in the form of Memos : Lessons Learnt.
We are blessed to have these treasures.
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March 27, 2019 at 4:05 pm
I think that’s amazing, showing such respect for the expertise and experience of senior staff it amazing. I can’t say for definite if it is a common occurrance in Ireland but I’m sure it depends on the atmosphere and values in each business. Sadly in general, seniors in our communities, cities, towns are not given the respect they deserve. What wise Memos: Lessons Learnt! Great share Kavitha! Xx
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March 27, 2019 at 4:58 pm
Marie, I’m so glad i visited you again, you have been on my mind. I send big hugs to you. Ps, im having a wee bit of Baileys this weekend to remember my good friend Natalie in Germany. You will be with me in spirit. 🌸🌺💐
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March 27, 2019 at 10:01 pm
I’m glad too Kavitha, it’s great to have you visit and I’ll gladly accept your big hugs! Enjoy the Baileys 😃👍
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May 14, 2019 at 12:34 pm
A good piece!
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June 6, 2019 at 11:17 pm
Hi. Because I enjoy your blog so much I have nominated you for the Sunshine Blogger Award 😊 https://wendymegget.wordpress.com/2019/06/07/sunshine-blogger-award/
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June 7, 2019 at 7:00 pm
Thank you Wendy, I’m really glad you enjoy my blog and I hope you will continue to visit. I appreciate your nomination! Le gra, Marie
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June 7, 2019 at 9:28 pm
I look forward to your Sunshine post 😀
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June 7, 2019 at 12:13 pm
Amazing perspective, thank you!
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June 7, 2019 at 6:12 pm
My pleasure Julie! I’m glad you think so.
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June 8, 2019 at 11:56 am
Encouraging and uplifting Marie. Excellent points in life. We are never too old to continue pursuing fullness of life. 🙂
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June 8, 2019 at 3:07 pm
Age is just a number! This taxi driver is the perfect example of determination! Thanks for visiting. I hope you will again soon.
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June 9, 2019 at 2:59 am
True. I’ll be back. Thanks. 🙂
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June 8, 2019 at 1:04 pm
Love your blog 💕
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July 3, 2019 at 3:01 am
Marie,
This is heartwarming and just such a wonderful post! Your taxi cab driver…I wish more people had his wisdom…you’re doing your bit by passing the word! Attitude and Altitude! I’ll remember this but when I need a lift, I’ll come back re-read it! Thanks for the ray of sunshine today! I loved this! M.L. James aka Mona
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July 3, 2019 at 7:19 am
Thank you so much Mona, that’s a lovely start to my day…sets me off with the right attitude! I hope the sky’s the limit for you today! Marie xx
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July 24, 2019 at 4:51 pm
Really inspiring post. How lovely to still be so active at such an incredible age. I hope I can be that brave.
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July 24, 2019 at 8:28 pm
Thank you, he was pretty amazing! I suppose it starts with being brave today and tomorrow, then the future will take care of itself!
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July 26, 2019 at 1:11 pm
What a beautiful story about a precious man! Indeed, we can learn a lot from him. Life is a lot about perspective. It truly is. If depression and anxiety are a part of your perspective, it does change how you feel about everything. You lose sight of reality and it’s hard to climb back up into the light at times.
I pray everyone can have their days filled with promise, love, happiness and discovery of what makes them beautifully unique ♥
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July 26, 2019 at 6:36 pm
Holly, thank you for your visit and taking time to add your insightful response! Eckharte Tolle in his book A New Earth shines a spotlight on perspective and how we can lead ourselves into much suffering as a result. Finding what makes us feel happy and fulfilled can be a great way to change our perspective. Looking forward to more of your interesting comments! Le grà, Marie
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August 6, 2019 at 6:03 pm
Thank you!
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August 6, 2019 at 7:11 pm
My pleasure, thank you too for reading!
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August 16, 2019 at 1:22 pm
Its simply amazing..Your words have a power to cultivate new thoughts in readers mind and i’m awaiting for more writing..
In the meanwhile..I would like to introduce my blog to you.Here is the link given below so if your interested kindly please do follow,comment and share it with your friends too..
https://crozwalk.wordpress.com/
Thank you..
Stay Blessed!
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August 18, 2019 at 8:48 pm
I’m glad my post spoke to you and encouraged you to reflect on the messages it contained. Hope you will visit again, read and share more of your thoughts.
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December 6, 2019 at 3:50 am
what a blessing it was to meet such an amazing man! people like this, angels in the flesh, have a way of changing out lives in just minutes. thank you for sharing.
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December 6, 2019 at 3:44 pm
It was my pleasure that day Wendi and every day that it touches another reader! Thanks Wendi. X
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December 6, 2019 at 3:49 pm
🙂 God bless you!
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January 26, 2020 at 12:04 pm
Wow, so much to learn from that man! 🙌
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January 26, 2020 at 12:12 pm
Thank you Lesley, I was indeed privileged!
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January 26, 2020 at 12:23 pm
He’s certainly inspired me! I’m 66 and if God allows me to remain here on earth for as long as that gentleman, I will try to live as abundantly as he does. Thank you for posting this. 😀
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January 26, 2020 at 3:53 pm
My pleasure Lesley and it’s about making the best of today, our future is created one day at a time!
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January 26, 2020 at 4:16 pm
That’s true. ☺
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March 26, 2020 at 11:43 am
What an incredible man, he never gives up!
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March 26, 2020 at 4:42 pm
Thanks for reading Mark. He was a living reminder to me of what courage looks like! We can all learn from him as we adjust to the new reality of Covid19. Hope you are all doing well.
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