I am 32 weeks or eight months pregnant. And I still travel everyday, mostly to work or the doctor. I've got a biiiig ol' belly. Yet still I manage to hoof it down the street and huff down the steps of the New York City subway or onto the bus. Though I must admit I'm not quite as agile as I used to be standing on a moving vehicle. When you're pregnant, and the larger you grow, the more off-balance you seem to get. At least that's how it is to me. (To imagine what this feeling might be like picture yourself with a 20 pound beachball tucked into your shirt. You're probably starting to get the picture...) And yet, I stand almost everyday wherever I go. And it's not because I am dying for the adventure -- it's because people are really clueless! And it's not just in New York.

In Pennsylvania and Connecticut, Canada and Virginia. City or country. We are self-absorbed and pre-occupied. We're all busy. But are we seriously too busy to look up and take in our surroundings and the needs of those around us? Or do we just want to avoid the inevtiable compulsion to do what our mother's might call the right thing so to avoid the shame of having to do it or being asked we don't look up at all.

Lately I've been surveying the crowds I'm in to come up to some understanding about this phenominon. It's not that I think everyone is rude, though certainly for some this is the case. (And to you rudies I say, just wait for karma to catch up to you!) But for many others I think it's a sad statement of how disconnected we've become from our surroundings. Our busy lives jammed with the never ending to-do list, the i-pod, iPhone, blackberry, cell phone, the newspaper, a txt message all coming at us at once as we zip from place to place leaves us without a moment for reflection about what is happening in the present where we actually are. Even for me, it's hard to sit still and not use my time on the bus to "get things done". But then I miss looking out the window and watching the leaves change or the snow fall. I can miss the mood of the place I'm in entirely. Or, while I am being productive, I miss the chance to be a good citizen and not notice that someone else needs this very seat more than me.

While I'm proud, not to mention lucky, to be pregnant and mobile I am more aware of my surroundings than ever. suspect it's the maternal instinct already kicking in. I find that I get nervous in crowds and try to know where I am in relation to exit routes at all times. As a result of this looking I've seen teenagers flirt, kids play, and lovers kiss. I've helped more people who are in need of directions than I can remember in a long time. And I'm being reminded about how interconnected we all are.

There's a chain reaction to helping someone else and it's a good thing. So for all the pregnant women out there right now, for all the elderly, and even the haggard -- lets take the time to distract ourselves and look up a little more. It will be good for you, great for your community and terrific for the person you've helped.

It's really nice feeling to offer instead of being asked. Try it and see.