Some journeys are planned, some are surprises.
If you are going on vacation, the odds are high the amount of time you invest in researching your destination is related to the price tag. A trip to the gas station-20 seconds of “where are my keys”. A trip to a tropical island-weeks of painstaking study. You know the water temperature at 4:03 in the afternoon along with the UV status on day two.
Surprise journeys are not so simple. They catch you unaware taking your breath away as your feet hit the ground running. Sometimes it’s a freight train moving at the speed of sound towards you, sometimes it’s the same train moving at a snail’s pace. Either way, you see the train and you did not buy a ticket.
The fascinating aspect of surprise journeys are the companions you meet along the way.
Mr. Gloom and Doom
This kind soul will tell you the train is coming. He will let you know the size, shape and color of it. He will even let you know how fast the train is moving and calculate its position if you wish. There will be no good outcome, no matter what you do. So, put on your sneakers and RUN! His negativity will pull you under with no hope of recovery.
Mrs. Sunshine
She loves rainbows and unicorns. In fact, the train is painted pink and the faster it moves the more cotton candy you will get. Sugar coating life is her goal. Everything is peachy keen. She wants to be your friend and will do anything to avoid conflict.
Mention the fact that you are standing on the train track, never! Suggest getting a taxi for the opposite direction, impossible! Flee, run, and hide. Her sugar might taste good in moderation, but the quantities offered are above your tolerance. Be smart, avoid the indigestion.
Mr. Tough Guy
He will puff out his chest, stand on the track and expect the train to bounce off him as if he were Superman. Not only does he claim these superpowers, he offers them to you. Motivational speeches ooze from every pore in his body while he bench presses overconfidence. A “go get ‘em” rally is fine. Nothing wrong with it. Just don’t go thinking trains bounce off you.
Ms. Keep Your Enemies Close
This gal watched one too many Francis Ford Coppola movies. She actually believes that you should “keep your friends close but your enemies closer”. A sweet sonnet of support effortlessly glides from her lips. Little do you know those words have secret codes in them to speed up the train. It can be hard to decipher her code, so your best bet is to see how she talks about others to you. If you get a whiff of gossip you have cracked the code and need to move on.
Mr. and Mrs. Support
They have been married for a long time. Eons it seems if you listen to their synchronized conversation. They see the train and kindly tell you it’s coming. He offers a hand to lift you out of the train track, she mends your torn outfit. No secret code to decipher, truth is spoken. It will be hard. The path is long. Many will discourage you. She offers you water, he hands you a map. The journey is yours to take. Confidence is infused as you drink, direction is gained.
Standing tall you see your goal. Another train track is on the horizon, another train, not your own. As you survey your map you detour your journey. It is time that you share what Mr. and Mrs. Support have freely offered. It is time to face your train. It is time to help others face theirs.