BINGO!

A few weeks ago, one of the kids in my carpool shouted out, “BINGO!” This was soon followed by another shout of “BINGO!”. Which was immediately followed by a lecture from the original caller about how a school bus was NOT a car, therefore did not constitute a BINGO.

If you haven’t figured it out, BINGO is a car game wherein you shout BINGO every time you spot a yellow car—sort of like a less violent version of Slug Bug. And do you know what? There aren’t many yellow cars being driven on the streets of my town. White, black, silver, tan, blue? Awash in them–so much so that I don’t even consciously recognize one from the other. Before my introduction to BINGO, a yellow car, while rare, would also blend into the background; just another vehicle in the never-ending sea of traffic.

But a funny thing has happened since that first game of BINGO. I notice yellow cars. I actively seek them out. Spotting a yellow car is a reward unto itself—even when I’m driving alone.

The game of BINGO, in some small way, gave me back the gift of noticing; of awareness. It reminded me how easily I can allow my world to take on a numbing sameness. In order to spot the rare, beautiful or unique, I need to be actively seeking it out.

In the mundane drudgery of life when oftentimes one day looks just like the day before, it’s easy to miss the yellow. I want to be more aware. I want to shout BINGO! each day and bring attention to the good in this world that is so often overlooked.

Now, go find you some BINGO! moments. They’re out there if you take the time to pay attention.

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