All Aboard The Train Of Life!

I recently heard someone say he was a passenger on “the train of life” and what immediately came to mind was what a glorious opportunity we have to evaluate our own particular role in coming into this existence.

So, let us start at the beginning. First of all we would need the individual who came up with the concept of a train, no more traveling long or short distances by foot or horseback or car, embark on your journey in comfort and ease, knowing there is someone who will endeavor to get you safely to your destination while you sit back and relax.

What manner of being would even venture to come up with such a plan? That would have to be the dreamers, or visionaries. They are the ones who often have their heads in the clouds and envision a better quality of life for us all. There is an abstract thought somewhere inside of them that must find a way of arriving at a viable workable plan.

We are the train and the tracks are the path our lives follow. In control at dispatch is God, and He is overseeing each of our movements and coordinating what happens ~ Joshua Robinson

Frequently, these humans are left out in the cold. There is an air about them that says they are somewhat removed from their fellow human beings. They will attend parties or social  gatherings, although would prefer to keep the groups as small as possible. Small talk does not come easily to them and although they might engage in marriage and secure a family their continual goal is the idea of making the world a better place for all. There is not always an expectation for them of becoming financially solvent – that is not their aim at the end of the day.

The dreamers are not readily accepted, even by family members and co-workers, who avoid engaging with them as they are not always easy to connect to on an emotional level. You will find throughout history that most of people of this ilk have been ridiculed and scoffed at, but thankfully that extreme urge from inside of them is impossible to squelch.

Once the visionary has put his thoughts into some type of realism, he then must secure a method of actually bringing this about. This would place the glorious financier directly into his path. These are the proverbial ‘shakers and movers.’ The financiers have a two-fold plan, to not only to present the ongoing public with a workable service or product, but also the ultimate goal would be to get extremely rich in the process.  The business person is frequently labeled as arrogant, when in reality it is just another form of supreme confidence. The belief is in themselves, and they never waver in believing they will ultimately achieve the success they so strongly desire.

The business owner is also most likely married with a family with definite plans in mind for the future of the children, however families are not the most embracing goal. It is the game and the idea of success that appeals the most to a person of this caliber. They enjoy giving lavishly to charitable donations and have no qualms in being recognized for their successes. The financiers would be the ones who would track down the manufacturers, organize how all the money is to be allocated and set things in motion without a moment’s delay.

The manufacturers are usually extremely grounded people, they have families they believe will be supported by their endeavors and expect to put all their time and energy into their growing concern. This type also thinks more about the employees and how to maintain the balance of making their own lives better, while supplying a stable working environment at the same time. They will give to others, after careful thought, and do not like to rush into rash decisions.  They believe in some interaction with staff but recognize when a line has to be drawn between management and workers. It is not difficult for them to establish and maintain boundaries. One of their continual challenges, however, is how to change with the times. They can be steadfast in their particular beliefs.

We now have an order of the visionary, financier, and manufacturer. And with this amazing combination established, it is only a question of time before our train is ready to supply a demand the public was not even aware it needed.

Know and have faith that at the end of your ride your train will have the right passengers on board and all the passengers that were on board at one time or another were there for a distinct purpose. Enjoy the ride ~ John A. Passaro

So, is this it then? Certainly not. Next we must have our astounding invention ready in place for the first of hopefully many passengers. Who will fulfill the next roles? Of course, we need an engineer to steer the train and make sure it stays on its tracks, while transporting it’s valuable customers. These are the stabilizing enforcers in life, the ones you might come to in time of crises. They can be talkative or shy, depending on the mood of the day. They take their jobs very seriously and do not expect any big shake-ups in life. They will continue doing what they are doing and will look forward to retiring with hopefully a sustainable pension. They are usually married with children and the type of personalities that enjoy the prospect of grandchildren and appreciate some family gatherings, if it is not done too frequently.

A person who is sometimes overlooked and this position is not always given the value it deserves, is the ‘red cap,’ who is capable of lifting heavy baggage and making sure our trusted luggage is safely stored, until we are ready to disembark at our final destination. Frequently these human beings are of more humble nature and do not necessarily appreciate their own value in the service of others. Their beginnings are generally of lower stature and probably do not aspire to many lofty positions. They are most often friendly creatures, ready to place themselves at the disposal of others with a very willing heart.

There is also no way we can operate without a porter, the individuals who direct us to the different compartments of the train, observation deck, food car, sleeping quarters, and so forth. There is a quiet air of authority about them and we immediately recognize their positions and have almost an intuitive trust in applying to them for assistance. They are quite comfortable in engaging with complete strangers and do not find it tiresome to engage in mundane conversations. Indeed, they consider that part of their normal routine. They have no problems adhering to schedules and enjoy the place they have chosen for themselves in life. There is a stability connected to what they find themselves involved in, although to others it may seem an unrewarding position to find oneself in.

Our remaining priorities would be the chef and servers. The head cooks are the ones who enjoy the value of nurturing, but do not appreciate the one-on-one contact the servers are normally engaged in. They see this area as being their own personal domain that can be ruled accordingly and appreciate the  somewhat exalted position that is placed before them. They are open to the concept that their expertise is what blends everything together and keeps things running smoothly.

Servers are those who scurry in the pleasure it affords the ones they are destined to please, and it is with a sincere desire they will go the extreme to keep their customers happy. Servers are a viable necessity in any ongoing adventure, since it is with their willingness that our experience can be either arduous or pleasant.

I like trains. I like their rhythm, and I like the freedom of being suspended between two places, all anxieties of purpose taken care of; for this moment I know where I am going ~ Anna Funder

And now at last we come to the ones that interestingly enough place themselves at the bottom of the food chain. The passenger, or as we know it today, the consumer, the ones who purchase cars, fill the tanks with gas, stay at hotels, book trips on airlines and shop at the local retail stores. They sometimes look at all these other careers as being more interesting or more challenging than their own, and this may very well be, but I put it to you, where would the inventor, financier, manufacturer, cook, and others be without the ones who have the purchasing power?

They somehow have an idea their lot is not as valuable as some others, or they do not carry a lot of clout in the grand scheme of things, when it is just the opposite. One person alone cannot bring a business to its knees, but collectively a substantial group can help rule the world.

So, just think of where your own particular position is in life. Is this where you want to be? Do you believe this actual lot is your destiny? If the answer is yes, great. If not, what is your role on this passenger train of life?