This is a brief note-to-self regarding the downtime necessary for deep thought and reflection — and how MUNI saved my bacon on Friday. Thursday I had realized that I had no lesson plan for Friday’s Introduction to Psychology classes, and by the time I got home, I had no energy to come up with a plan. I just couldn’t focus my thoughts.
After a good night’s sleep, I awoke to rain in the City. That meant I couldn’t ride my bike the 4.9 miles to work, as I normally would, and instead I would take MUNI. The morning was going to be full and busy as soon as I hit campus, with a 7am prayer group meeting, 8am liturgy, and 9am class. I was going to have no time to sit and lesson plan on campus.
Fortunately, MUNI serves as a great thought incubator.
When I ride the bus, I’m able to slide deep into thought; whether sitting or standing, there just isn’t much to do on a bus except think. I had an uninterrupted 30-minutes to sit and think through the day’s lesson plan. It was great! I was able to work out how I’d introduce the topic, what examples I’d use, and what the learning activity would look like — all while being driven to work.
That was a $2 well spent. Thank you, MUNI.
As an aside, running gives me a similar opportunity to go deep into thought — and usually for more extended periods than a bus ride. I can run for an hour, mindlessly, whereas no MUNI trip takes that long. Riding my bike, on the other hand, does not give me the opportunity to think deeply. In large part that’s because I’m too focused on my riding, on nearby car traffic, and on staying alive to be able to think about anything else deeply.