Over the years wise people have told me to “live in the moment”. These people tended to be calm, sorted and grounded. Don’t worry about the future and don’t dwell on the past – be in the now. I’ve failed miserably to adhere to this rule but it always struck me as a good thing to aim for and when things get a bit weird I try and at least think about it.
This weekend I was visiting my cousin’s family near Reading. Originally I was planning to come back on Sunday but in the end got a Monday morning train off peak. My open return ticket, bought from the machine just before I left, allowed me to do this. I could have booked in advance but I wasn’t sure exactly when I’d be leaving and didn’t know when they’d be able to drop me at the station. This is how public transport should function.
On the train back I sat in an empty seat, as you do. When we pulled into Oxford I was informed, quite politely I should add, that my seat had been booked and belonged to someone else. So I moved one seat ahead. I don’t begrudge the person who took my seat but it made me think.
People who know exactly what train they’ll be getting aren’t living in the moment. They’re living to a timetable. It is possible to do this and be calm, sorted and grounded but I suspect people who truely live in the moment don’t book specific seats on specific trains. They get the train when they’re ready to get the train.
Which leads me to conclude that Virgin Trains, by offering a discount for those who book in advance and reserve seats, discriminate against those who live in the moment and, thus, encourage an unhealthy mindset.
I’m not bitter. Honest.
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