Lady On the Bus: The Power of Being a Student in Life

What if, in the middle of your daily routine, you looked up from your phone and found a moment that shifted your entire perspective on life? These moments aren’t improbable. They’re all around us, waiting for us to pick our heads up, step out of our own worlds, and pay attention. I experienced one of these moments on an ordinary day, during a routine bus ride to Los Angeles International Airport. As a musician, travel is a constant in my life. LAX is practically my second home, a microcosm of energy and possibility. But in LA, the real challenge isn’t flying—it’s getting to the airport. Traffic on the infamous 405 freeway is legendary, so travel friend recommended a bus service fittingly called Flyaway to bypass the chaos. Most of the time, I spend those rides in my own bubble—headphones in, lost in music, scrolling through nonsense on my phone, or just staring out the window. But on this particular ride, a fellow traveler sat down next to me, and what they said completely transformed the way I see and approach life.She was an older woman with a graceful presence, her kind eyes radiating warmth and wisdom, as if she carried the quiet strength of a life well-lived. We started talking, and before long, she was sharing bits of her life—her experiences, her challenges, and the lessons she’d learned. Somewhere in our conversation, as we descended the Sepulveda Pass and neared our destination, something prompted me to ask a question—one whose answer would be simple yet deeply profound. I said, “Are there any lessons or sage wisdom you’ve gained from living such a full life that you’d like to share?” She paused, her gaze thoughtful, then said, “Everything in life—good or bad—is meant to show us or teach us something.” At first, her words seemed simple, almost too obvious. But as we talked, the depth of her wisdom became clear. She explained how this philosophy shaped her life, helping her see meaning in every experience. Instead of asking, “Why is this happening to me?” she asked, “What is this meant to teach me?” It was a subtle shift, but it changed everything. Life wasn’t happening to her—it was happening for her. That conversation stayed with me. It wasn’t just advice; it was a perspective—a way of engaging with life that felt both empowering and humbling. Little did I know, I’d have a chance to test it not long after.

A Holiday Lesson in Accountability

One holiday season, my parents’ car was broken into. They’d left it in few things were stolen. When I heard about it, my initial reaction was anger. I was furious, imagining the kind of person who would do something like this. But then, I stopped. I thought of the lady on the busand her words: Everything in life—good or bad—is meant to teach us something. I took a step back and asked myself, What is this moment meant to teach me? The answer didn’t take long to appear. This wasn’t just about the car—it was about security. My parents needed better protection. That realization led to action: we installed Ring cameras around their house and got them a dog for added peace of mind. The anger melted away, replaced by clarity and gratitude for the lesson. That moment proved how powerful this philosophy could be. By stepping out of reaction mode and into reflection, what started as frustration became an opportunity to learn and improve. It wasn’t just about fixing a problem; it was about growing from it.

Life as a Classroom

The bus ride and the car break-in were two very different moments, but they taught me the same thing: life is a classroom, and every experience is a lesson. It’s not always easy to see it that way. Our first instinct is often to react, to assign blame, or to feel like a victim of circumstance. But if we can pause, reflect, and ask, “What is this meant to teach me?” we can find meaning in even the most challenging situations. This philosophy is simple, but its impact is profound. It takes you out of reaction mode and into a space of curiosity and accountability. Instead of feeling powerless, you start to see every moment—good or bad—as an opportunity to grow. You realize life isn’t happening to you—it’s happening for you. The beauty of this mindset is that it applies to everything. From minor inconveniences to major setbacks, each moment carries a lesson ifwe’re willing to look for it. And sometimes, those lessons come from the most unexpected places—like a conversation with a stranger on a bus.

The Gift of Presence

The lady on the bus didn’t just share her wisdom; she shifted my perspective on life. Her words challenged me to stay present, to lift my head from the noise, and to engage with the world around me. That small act of listening, of being open to a connection I didn’t expect, has stayed with me ever since. We live in a world that’s constantly moving, full of distractions that make it easy to stay in our own bubbles. But when we pick our heads up, when we take the time to be present, we open ourselves to life’s greatest lessons. The advice I received that day wasn’t complicated, but its simplicity was its power: Everything in life—good or bad—is meant to show us or teach us something. It’s a philosophy I live by now. It’s not always easy, but it’s always worth it. Being present and engaging with life brought one of the greatest gifts of wisdom I’ve ever received. And it’s something I carry with me on every journey, wherever life—or the FlyAway bus—takes me next.