On Tuesday 8th of February 2011, I was on the platform at Finsbury Park waiting for the Piccadilly Line Train to head home. As the train approached Jesus Christ put in my heart not to get on and skip for the next one. This feeling continued as the trains kept on coming and as the 5th train approached, a member of the underground staff approached me asking if i was alright, since I have been letting trains go without getting on. I responded with a huge smile explaining that I was waiting for the 'right train'! Little did this response mean to the him and a quick joking response followed saying "You are crazy!". Based on his remark, I took the opportunity to explain to him that every train and individual carriage has different people and thus different environment and atmosphere dynamics, hence I was waiting for that 'right train'. He quickly let me to myself and without hesitation I continued to wait until the 7th train arrived whereby I felt a nudge in my heart to on-board this one. 

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Upon entering the train, I quickly became disappointed as the carriage I went into did not have much people for me to interact and entertain. All in all there were about 5-6 people scattered across the carriage and my quick assessment of the environment, I was quickly convinced that in the 5 minute journey left to arrive at my stop, it was simply not worth a while entertaining. 

 

It was at the moment when Jesus Christ put in my heart that it wasn't about how many people are present or who is watching that matters but to simply do what I have always been doing regardless. Half-hearted, I have put on my headphones, took my cards out of the box and started performing with absolute no expectation of anything happening. In fact I was sealing my self away from having any interactions from people by having my headphone on. 

 

Within 2 minutes something startling happened. A person sitting right at the edge of the window, whom I could not initially see their face, immediately put the newspaper down and gave me a beaming smile saying..."You have totally made my day!" Their response instantly brought a spark in me and with a smile I have immediately replied saying... "You have made my day too!". As I approached to explain what I was doing she introduced herself by the name of Anthea Inchenko. She was fascinated by what i was doing and was so complementary to give me a lot of encouragement. In the usual fashion with every interaction I had with a stranger I took the opportunity to explain to her the reason for me doing this and briefly shared my life story. As the train approached at my stop, I quickly finished the conversation by handing her my "ForwardtheSmile" card and dashed out the doors. While the doors began to close , Anthea kneeled over and said... "I will get in touch, please make sure you respond". 

 

Over the years I have met various people who claimed an interest in what I was doing and promised to get in touch for various projects but there was no follow through. Due to this I was quite dismissive that anything was going to happen from this interaction.    

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Just as I did not expect anything to happen I received the below message on my Facebook.