Tucked away in our subconscious is an idyllic vision.
We are traveling by train, out the windows
We drink in the passing scenes of children
Waving at a crossing,
Cattle grazing on a distant hillside,
Flatlands and valleys,
Mountains and rolling hillsides
And city skylines.
*
But uppermost in our minds is the final destination.
On a certain day, we will pull into the station.
Bands will be playing and flags waving.
Once we get there, our dreams will come true
And a piece of our lives
Will fit together like a completed jigsaw puzzle.
Restlessly we pace the aisles,
Damning the minutes- waiting,
Waiting, waiting for the station.
*
"When we reach the station that will be it!" We cry.
"When I am 18." "When I buy a new 450sl Mercedes Benz!"
"When I put the last kid through college."
When I have paid off the mortgage!"
"When I get a promotion." "When I reach retirement
I shall live happily ever after!"
*
Sooner or later, we realize there is no station,
No one place to arrive.
The true joy of life is the trip.
The station is only a dream.
It constantly outdistances us.
"Relish the moment" is a good motto.
It isn't the burdens of today that drive men mad.
It is the regrets over yesterday and the fear of tomorrow.
Regret and fear are twin thieves who rob us of today.
Regret is reality after te facts.
*
So, stop pacing the aisles
And counting the miles.
Instead, climb more mountains, eat more ice cream,
Go barefoot more often, swim more rivers,
Watch more sunsets, laugh more, cry less.
Life must be lived as we go along.
The station will come soon enough.
Life is a journey, enjoy the ride!
*
Life is but a stopping place,
A pause in what's to be,
A resting place along the road
To sweet eternity,
We all have different journeys,
Different paths along the way,
We all were meant to learn some things,
But never meant to stay...
*
Our destination is a place,
Far greater than we know.
For some the journey's quicker,
For some the journey's slow.
And when the journey finally ends,
We'll claim a great reward.
And find an everlasting peace,
Together with the Lord.
*********
John M. Pinto
A chocolate kiss to remind you how much you are loved.
A match to light your fire when you feel burned out.
A Tootsie Roll to remind you not to bite off more than you can chew.
Smarties to help you feel smart on days when you don't.
A Starburst to give you a burst of energy when yours is gone.
A Snickers to remind you to take time to laugh.
A candle to remind you to brighten someone else's day and,
A bag to keep it all together!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
