10/3 6:50 p.m.
News bulletin: train stoppage. All conductors retreating to “rear end” of train. One of the conductors just asked a question over the conductorcom: “Is there a technician on board?” Then, a response: “No.” Then, “Nicole, can you hear me?” Then, nothing.
Commuters are anxiously eyeballing each other. Again, a voice on the conductorcom: “Dump it.” Now there’s the sound of a hissing electronic exhale.
My alarmist imagination tells me that there’s probably a bomb on board, probably in the toilet, and that’s what they just dumped. I’m bracing for the inevitable explosion (smiling coolly all the while, of course).
Five minutes later:
Well, we’ve just been told that an Amtrak train is having trouble up ahead, and we have to go back west toward NYC so we can switch tracks and head back east around the troubled train.
Phew.
Well, there’s another couple of life lessons right there.
The first lesson is just my old mantra, “Don’t deal with what if - deal with what is.” In other words, don’t jump to contusions.
The second lesson is one that can be taught in the best way - a train parable!
And that is: sometimes you have to back away from an obstacle before you can get around it. Because sometimes you can be too close to a problem to effectively deal with it.
At such times, you need to be able to take a few steps back, gauge the situation with the new perspective that only distance can bring, and then decide on a different course of action.
I know, sometimes going backwards seems like it’ll only make things worse - like it’ll get you even further from your intended goal. But occasionally, the only available way to go forward is to go back.