Missing the bus

I used to live in Eastleigh, near Pumwani, and commute into the city by public transport. Like many others, I preferred getting a seat, even though it was common to stand when buses were full, especially closer to town.

One day, I waited at the bus stop, letting several buses pass because none had empty seats. Eventually, a conductor tried to convince us to board as standing passengers. I refused, insisting I would only take a bus if I could sit. He looked at me and casually asked, “Are you seated where you are?”

That question stayed with me.

There I was, standing at the bus stop, rejecting progress because it was not comfortable enough, yet I was already uncomfortable. In trying to secure a better option, I had delayed my own journey. If I had boarded the first bus, even without a seat, I would have reached the office much earlier.

Life often mirrors this moment. We wait for ideal conditions, a perfect opportunity, the right timing, complete certainty, while time quietly moves on. We tell ourselves we will act when things are more comfortable, more secure, more aligned. But in doing so, we end up stuck in the same place, standing still while opportunities pass us by.

Sometimes, missing the bus in life is not about a lack of opportunity. It is about hesitation, overselectiveness, or the illusion that something better is guaranteed if we just wait a little longer.

The truth is, progress often requires movement before comfort. The imperfect bus still moves. The standing passenger still arrives. And the people who get ahead are often those willing to start the journey, even when conditions are not ideal.

Take the step that is available to you now. Do not wait for perfect conditions before you begin. Choose progress over comfort when necessary, and trust that movement will create better opportunities along the way. Because in the end, it is better to be on the bus than to keep waiting at the stop.