Commuter Reminds Us to Stop and Smell the Roses Even in Standstill Traffic

Photo Shared by George Purchase on Ek reis deur my pragtige land.... Suid-Afrika via Facebook

While stuck in a frustrating traffic jam in Cape Town, commuter George Purchase chose to shift his perspective. Instead of dwelling on the delay, he focused on the breathtaking view of Table Mountain unfolding before him. Something he considered a privilege to experience!

Cape Town, South Africa (09 January 2025) – Being able to see the beauty of life and the world around us, even amongst the stress and chaos, is such a great way to approach life and live because, let’s face it, things aren’t always going to go the way we’d love them to.

There are just too many factors we can’t control: how people think and act, what antics your child will pull next, how a crowd will receive you or what time you’ll be scheduled for an urgent appointment on the other end of the line. You know this, and so do I.

One South African who inspired many people online to remember to see the beauty around them, even while stuck in standstill early morning traffic in Cape Town, was George Purchase.

While that very inconvenience is enough to drive any person looking at the clock tick by off the wall, George chose to look beyond the stationary vehicle in front of him (and the continuous line of many others ahead) and stretch his eyes just slightly above. To what, you may wonder? Why, the breathtaking marvel that happens to be one of South Africa’s iconic landmarks and one of the 7 Wonders of the World – Table Mountain!

Not only was George not fazed by the traffic or stressed about the time wasted in one spot, but he also considered himself privileged!

In the Facebook post shared on the Ek reis deur my pragtige land…. Suid-Afrika Facebook group he shared:

“I have to say that I’m privileged to get to be stuck in early morning traffic with such a great view, listening to my radio station of choice (Smile 90.4). I wonder how many of my fellow commuters are even aware of this privilege!”

What a marvellous way to live and an inspiring reminder to us all to stop and smell the roses even when things aren’t going our way at a given moment.

Inconveniences will happen, but with a simple pause and slight shift in perspective, you may just realise that there is beauty or at least something to appreciate in the delay you’re experiencing. Thanks, George!