A week less ordinary

Greek philosopher Epictetus said “It’s not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters."

It’s a real personal mantra of mine.

Take this week for example. Monday morning saw me shivering at Tunbridge Wells train station at 7am waiting to catch a train up to London for an IPA workshop. “You do know there’s a tube strike love” said the ticket lady, whose only source of information seemed to be the news on the radio that morning, so alas could offer no more help or advice (brilliant joined up transport communications...not). Reassessing my journey options, it seemed the only option was to get off at Charing Cross and walk the mile and a half or so I needed to get to my destination.

As we approached Charing Cross station the sun had risen and a beautiful crisp autumn cusp of winter day beckoned. I headed down the Mall on foot towards Buckingham Palace, obligatory Café Nero regular skinny cappuccino in one hand, blackberry with map app open in the other. As I went I realised how very lovely this walk was going to be, taking in the morning buzz of London getting its way to work on a tube strike day. London was in its full splendid glory; statues and monuments glistening in the sunshine, leaves crunching underfoot, the architecture solid and proud steeped in history. I was even treated to the Queen’s guards, cavalry and horses on some sort of official ceremonial duty, the tourists all clamouring to get a glimpse at stuff we all (ex) Londoners seem to take for granted. Bugger the tube strike, this was the very best way to start the day. I felt I had freedom to observe and think as opposed enduring the horrible claustrophobia of the tube. It was truly inspiring and set me up perfectly for the challenges of the 3 hour IPA training session that followed.