So i stopped midway and sat on a bench and watched people leaving their work or going places. Everyone was rushing and no one was making any contact with the people around them. They looked so disconnected and empty.
All of a sudden, i saw a girl asking people for signatures to stop the cruel and unethical mass breeding of puppies in shelters. I was still on that bench trying to slow down and watching life unfold in front of me. She came to me and asked for my signature. I did and gave a small donation. I felt good for doing my part.
But then i saw the wave of people getting into the subway and no one stopped to sign. Everyone tried to ignore her or refused or they were simply too much in a hurry. Everyone took it as an annoyance to their very important and busy lives. I thought to myself - "How self-centered everyone is! it's just a signature, how can they not care?" But in reality... i do it too. I don't stop. I don't look at them. I say "i have no time", etc...
I learned right there what civilized society did to me and what it does to everyone else...we become uncivilized and disconnected. Even if you think differently and you care about important issues and are a good human being - the influence of the fast paced life is too strong and you start to change without noticing.
I don't want to be this way and i won't let society make me this person. The kind of person who's too in a hurry to sign a petition or is not willing to give 1$ for a cause. Now i will always remind myself to slow down and stop. There is no reason to hurry up.
I will fight to be the person i want to be regardless of what society has to say about it. I won't become a empty shell. Life is so much more than our petty meaningless everyday worries.
We all have to fight for who we want to be.
