Greetings Hivers
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Is there any phrase by any philosopher saying that “ humans' attitude can be unpredictable? ”. I know there might be but I can't start figuring it out so if you would do me the honor by pointing me to a link that would be cool. T for thanks in addy!😜 ... Pardon my lazy ass!
With the prompt from the #HiveLearnersCommunity, I can share a scenario I encountered in a bus while on transit that transpired between passengers in the bus. I was on my way from Ikeja heading to mile 2 (a very popular and major area in Lagos state).
Usually, when I board a public bus, I often observe my surroundings and other passengers both the ones that alight and the ones seated just to be familiar with the atmosphere before departure. In that way, I can sense a bit of trouble and imbalance. Essentially it's my habit as an introvert.
There was this particular lady who had her mobile phone on loudspeaker while she played gospel music, she was steadily wiggling her head to the rhythms as she vocally sings audibly. But then something was off! But I didn't want to divulge further so I snapped her memories off my head and focused on the road as we were about to take off!
After a few kilometers from the boarding park, I heard her loud voice saying “praise thy lord”, well🤷♀️ it wasn't a new thing anymore as almost every bus that I enter either had a vendor preaching about their products or an evangelist preaching the gospel ... Every Nigerian can relate with this, yeah?
When I heard her say that, I responded calmly and subtly, unmistakably not so loud. It seemed that no one answered her at first except me, then she tried again and again and it sorta made a negative impact on her mood but she didn't hide those emotions well enough to continue. The preaching began with sweet bitter rudeness with a touch of godly anger if I am permitted to use that because, from my judgment and perspective, she word-for-word rained insults and curse words on those that didn't respond to the phrase “Praise thy lord”.
At first, the rest of the passengers turned deaf ears to what she had been saying for a while. Meanwhile, I on the other hand was laughing at what was going on because it was ridiculous.
I was saying this within me because I do not want to spark a controversy that would likely not go well in the end. So I maintained my stance and awaited the issue that would arise from that setting because, to be honest, she was going out of style. As the preaching continued with rage, the lady preacher prophesied that many passengers in that very bus I was in will die if they didn't listen to the word of God. A lady in a black flare dress sitting on the first seat row got up immediately and began rebuking her and wishing it back to her and her family members, that was when the whole bus was caught up in an undiluted conflict.
A few passengers attacked the lady in a black flare dress, while others faced the lady preacher at the back sitting in the fourth seat row whilst, during this commotion, I was sitting behind the lady preacher that's the fifth seat row. I kept mute examining the whole situation and praying that our bus wouldn't get involved in an accident because the driver himself was fuming too.
This commotion was at its peak when other passengers alighted and new passengers entered. Passengers that were new to the whole scenario joined the heated argument and made it worse. At one point, I spoke out to the lady preacher and said “you started all of this problem, I think you should apologize generally to everyone" Personally for me, I wasn't affected by whatever she was saying because I don't believe those clumsy curse words. I further explained to her when she had given me her full attention that not everyone would buy the idea of you preaching and the rest.
And if she wanted to get the attention of folks on the bus or anywhere that she should start with genuine preaching without expecting positive responses from people. I made her understand that once the message she is trying to pass gets to the person and people that truly and sincerely want to assimilate it, they would give you attention because I feel God's words are spirit. It travels to those who are seeking salvation and it can't be compelled to anyone except they accept it wholeheartedly.
She did as I suggested to her and she brought peace back to the bus. But before then, passengers almost fought themselves on the bus while some tried to pass for peace and love. Honestly to me, I would also apologize sincerely to them because if it wasn't for the mixed emotions she had at first it wouldn't have resulted in that mess. I figured that simply saying “ I'm sorry” and meaning it would help cease arguments and settle disputes, why prolong it when you have a shorter way to end this and save yourself a degradation of your prestige, personality, and composure?
I'm sure you have lots of things to say about this story, what would you say about this scenario if you were present there at that moment...?
This is a response to a question from the #HiveLearnersCommunity weekly prompt edition 53 episode 1 #hl-exclusive & #hl-w53e1. You can also join by participating and sharing your outstanding view.
Till next time guys, stay FIERCE💪🏻!!
