If anyone thinks New Yorkers are impatient they haven’t shopped at Whole Foods Market www.wholefoodsmarket.com . It’s an exercise in patience. You look at the long lines and observe the shoppers quietly moving at a snail’s pace to the front where finally it’s their turn to be called to a check out counter. All the Whole Food stores are spacious, but the space is chock full of choices everywhere you look and move. At times there’s a cart jammed at your ankle. It’s always unavoidable. Shoppers know this. There is order in the chaos of so many people choosing from so many great foods. I’m sure the people who can shop in the morning when it’s less hectic do so. On second thought, maybe it’s not less hectic. Maybe someday I should find out.
You cannot judge the patience of New Yorkers by what you see on the streets. Whether it’s walking, hailing a cab, or looking for a parking space because on any given day (not in all neighborhoods) there’s lots of stress and hurried movement and it’s almost impossible not to react. But get in a line at Whole Foods to see magic at work.
Eckhardt Tolle www.eckharttolle writes that we should accept what is and honor the present moment. And when we do all unhappiness and struggle dissolve and life begins to flow with joy and ease. Many people have written in a similar way. Of course, the only way to know this is to try it. People waiting in lines quietly, sometimes smiling, are doing just this. It’s nice.