I am aware.
I am aware of the space I occupy when I am saying goodbye to someone in the store while walking backward.
I am aware of the disrespect I show when I am late.
I am aware of the fact that my phone call is between me and the person on the other line.
I am aware of the aural impact I have when I am talking when others are trying to listen.
I will elaborate:
Ever notice someone walking backwards while continuing a conversation with someone? Are they aware that someone might be standing in their backwards walking path; a child, another shopper, lil’ ol’ me? Nope. My mother taught me to always be aware of my surroundings.
I didn’t use to pay much attention to being on time until I friend showed me her day planner. It was then that I realized that her time was valuable and that my promptness, as well as my presence, was important. When I take time off of work or other activities to be somewhere on time, and someone else shows up late because they “forgot,” or had something else happening - it sends the message that they consider their time more valuable than mine.
How tempting it is to want to chime in on someone’s conversation while they are on speakerphone - casually chatting away at high volume with the tinny and equally loud speaker held at arm's length so that everyone can hear what would normally be a private conversation.
I rarely go to concerts or movies anymore because there is always someone that has chosen that time to download their life story to the person they’re sitting next to - oblivious to the fact that others have paid money to experience the music/soundtrack they’ve come for. It’s particularly ironic when someone spends an entire concert talking about how much of a fan they are of the artist, and how many shows they’ve been to.
In conclusion:
It’s been said that we are the stars of our own movie - and while that may be true, it’s also true that we are sharing the stage; and that we’re not the only star; we’re more of an ensemble. An ensemble where everyone in the cast realizes that others are also onstage and have parts to play.
I watch where I’m going. I'm on time. I take it off speaker. I listen.