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Three essential lessons from Croissant Man, AM-New York Man, and Guitar Man.
At New York’s Penn Station I frequently meet Croissant Man, AM-New York Man, and Guitar Man. Each of them teaches me something valuable.
I get a wake-up call when I greet Croissant Man with “Hi Jake, how are you doing?” He responds, “Another day.” Despite the intense boredom in his monotone response, his two words jolt me into making each day count. Being productive or bored is not up to chance; it’s up to me.
“Another day” can be something you have to drag yourself through, or “another day” can be the opportunity of your lifetime. I remind myself of my goals and dreams to fulfill. Rabbi Tarfon teaches in Ethics of Our Fathers, “The day is short and the work is considerable.” Time, not money, is the real commodity that’s irreplaceable. Use it or lose it.
AM-New York Man has a completely different attitude as he enthusiastically proclaims in his sing-song style, “Good morning to you. Trust me… if you’re breathing, it’s a good morning!”
How often do I step off my commuter train in the morning and thank God that I am breathing? I’m usually running late thanks to Amtrak overhead wire troubles as I jog to the subway. AM-New York Man gives me a lot more than a free paper each morning. When you have your health and another day, you have the whole world at your disposal. He’s sharing Judaism’s age-old principle of life: Focus on what you have in life, not what you’re missing.
Guitar Man sings rock and roll music all day and never tires. His open guitar case has some coins and dollar bills, and a sign that reads, “I’m a street musician – too weird to live, too mean to die.” I’m don’t know what his sign means and I’ve never recognized one of his melodies, but Guitar Man’s unbelievable perseverance really inspires me. He stands in his corner of Penn Station, enthusiastically singing and strumming from sunup to sundown, even if his audience is only one person. I love his passion.
As I put a dollar bill in his guitar case, he smiles and sings the words, “Thank you brother, now you go have some fun… promise me.” The lesson he embodies: persevere in what you love.
To sum up my Penn Station teachers:
Do I use my time wisely?
Do I appreciate what I have?
Am I passionate about what I do?
I’ve learned so much and it’s not even 9 AM yet. Who ever thought that a daily commute could be so thought-provoking and one that leads to wisdom, as Ben Zoma taught in Ethics of the Fathers (4:1): Who is wise person? The one who learns from every person.
How true! We can learn from everyone we meet, and these are great lessons to all of us.
A positive attitude is contagious. Someone who takes nothing for granted and is perpetually happy offers a beautiful example and a powerful lesson.
Really hard to be bored when you're busy making others smile:)😊
You know what they say in the South; "Every day above ground is a blessed day." Dr. Singer's article brings out the importance of making every day a great day as well as learning from every person whose paths we might cross in life.
wonderful thought for the day. Breathing certainly beats the alternative. Perhaps if you are already tipping him, ask him to play something you know for even more inspiration. Anything from 1960-1980 should do.
We can learn from all sorts of sources. From some things we gain positive inspiration and lessons; other things negative lessons. Never underestimate the ability to gain some nugget of insight, knowledge or inspiration from any source. Dr. Singer hits the nail on the head.
I appreciate your observations Dr Singer
i have always tried to follow this advice:
i strive to learn something new everyday and you never know who your best teachers will be !
well done!
Learning for life was never limited to learning from teachers who are professionally trained to teach. Tuning in to life's lessons and then distilling the benefits and insights that are surely there calls for mindfulness and focus - and good advice. Thanks for reminding us, Dr Singer.
Only a scrupulous eye or ear would pick up these pearls if wisdom from the grimy bowels of Penn Station.
What a refreshing theme of hope rising from the cockroaches!
So nice! Inspiring.
LOVE IT!
I really like this article.
It is so true. Wisdom abounds all around us if we just open ourselves up to it.
Ex: One day I notice something on a grape vine leaf.
Upon closer examination, I observed ants tending carefully to neat row after neat row of aphids attached to the underside.
I though carefully about what this represented, an come to understand this was the ants' aphid farm, to milk the aphids for their favorite drink: Honeydew.
HaShem created each of us to be enabled to meet our life needs individually, right down to the insect level.
All so widely varied and different, yet able to interact with each other on the same earth.
HaShem's wonders and miracles are all around you, you just have to open yourself to them.
Stay safe. Be well.
Inspiring!