Sometimes all it takes is someone carrying a little handheld fan.
I recently decided to catch the bus home from the train station rather than leave my car there overnight. It just seemed easier. And definitely cheaper!
I’d been in London where it was several degrees warmer than back home, so I’d packed a small handheld fan knowing I’d be travelling on the Tube.
As people got on the bus, the fan seemed to become an unexpected conversation starter.
“I wish I’d thought of bringing one of those.”
“That’s a good idea.”
“I could do with one of those today.”
I found myself explaining to a few people that it wasn’t because I’d planned particularly well. I’d simply packed it for a hot journey on the London Underground.
It struck me afterwards that, until someone saw the fan, nobody knew they all had something in common.
Each had quietly assumed they were the only one wishing they’d brought a fan.
How often do we assume we’re the only one, simply because nobody else has said anything?
And then someone does.
Not because they have the answer.
Not because they have the perfect words.
Just because they happen to say out loud what several other people were already thinking.
Sometimes that’s all it takes for a bus, a room or a conversation to feel a little more connected.
Sometimes all it takes is someone carrying a little handheld fan.
If you’d like to keep the conversation going,
I’d love to write to you.
Every couple of weeks, I’ll send you a letter with stories, observations and questions from my own life, shared in the hope they might spark something in yours.
When you join, I’ll also send you A Few Minutes. A short audio that’s simply an invitation to pause for a while and put everything down.
Kettle on. No rush.
Just between us
A quiet, thoughtful letter delivered every two weeks. Join today and receive “A Few Minutes”, a free 8½-minute guided audio to pause with. A small gift you don’t have to earn.
