An Inner Calm Within a Crowd.

How (un)comfortable do you become, when a crowd closes in on your personal space?

While the image of a small dog curled up calmly between rows of people, (as those in attendance were also calm in their moment), has little to do with when a crowd/herd mentality can take over, it did provide another thought: How do you stay calm from within, when you are within a crowd?

Over the years, I've attended a lot of gatherings, from concerts to major sporting events, to conferences, food festivals and even local art walks to participate with others in a gathering of shared passions and interests, or to celebrate, protest and even mourn. At times, it's felt like the crowd was taking over from the event, as people pushed, pulled and bumped others to get to their coveted spot with little regard to those around them.

It was interesting to see how comfortable this little dog was, while surrounded by people and the occasional child that would run in and out of the pews to look at her. Whether she was a Sunday regular, or this was a first time, didn't seem to matter much. 

As the congregation exited, they slowly walked around, so as not to disturb her until she was ready to move on. Anyone could have easily shooed the dog away, and chased her out of her spot, ruining that inner calm and creating a panicked animal running frantically until it could escape the confines of the crowd. Instead, they flowed around where she lay, and an inner calm remained with all.

Here's the full image that gives a better feel for the moment:

 What happens to you when you are in a crowd? Do you get swept up in the moment and become one of the many, or are you able to step aside, and go with your own flow?