Derailment

While joking with other men I have stated you cannot stop a locomotive. This of course was regarding my perceived manliness of myself at any given moment. The fact remains there is one way to stop a barreling locomotive, derail it. I think we can all attest that at some point in life you have experienced this phenomenon. The Encarta Dictionary gives us several definitions. The first is simply to come off rails: to make a train or tram come off the rails, or come off the rails. The second is to send or go off course: to send something off course, or go off course. I can certainly relate to the latter as a reoccurring event in my personal life. I am one of good intentions. As I have heard, and believe to be true, good intentions never got anything done.

So what does it take to shore up the rails and prevent momentum loss? I know drive is a colossal factor. If one is driven by something it can set the compass bearing for their thoughts, actions, and life. I suppose being do driven has it consequences also. The failure to coast and check out the scenery occasionally can most certainly be detrimental to ones overall health. I have admired men and women over the years that are driven by a purpose, a goal, something that fuels them to accomplish great things. History is littered with stories of such men and women.

Today, my locomotive is building speed. The smoke is billowing as shovels full of coal are loaded into the firebox. The pressure is building and I am moving forward. I am not to the speed I would like. I don’t yet have the power I would like to overcome and achieve the goals I am setting forth for myself. Lucky for me God is at the backhead of the firebox loading coal. It will happen, just a tad more coal should speed things up. I wonder what is around the corner. Maybe it is best I just look to what I can see.

I do not think I would care to count how many times I have set a goal only to be derailed before I even started rolling. As I am learning the mind plays a powerful roll in this. For me, passivity, and laziness can always get the best of me. Even more influential is the power of people. Others can quickly send you off course or help in building speed and momentum. If we are the type of people that cheerfully participate in life we have our given responsibilities and duties. I find this is a tree on the track at times. Learning to balance responsibilities with goals and keep life going status quo is a task in itself. Maybe this gets easier with age and wisdom? I am sure there is a pearl of wisdom out there somewhere but you get the point.

As I build speed I will chug a lug ahead like the little engine that could. Is a derailment possible? No doubt. Nonetheless I will forge ahead and hope the switches on the track work to avoid a head on collision or derailment. I am thankful for the Force that drives me and in Him will I trust my course.

“However mean your life is, meet it and live it: do not shun it and call it hard names. Cultivate poverty like a garden herb, like sage. Do not trouble yourself much to get new things, whether clothes or friends. Things do not change, we change. Sell your clothes and keep your thoughts. God will see that you do want society”.- Henry David Thoreau