topic Re: THE STATION in Community Chat

THE STATION

Lindsays Grandma — Mon, 16 Nov 2020 06:41:16 GMT

This story has been a favorite of mine for many years. Hopefully you will recognize the message and enjoy reading it.

Tucked away in our subconscious is an idyllic vision. We see ourselves on a long trip that spans the continent. We are traveling by train. Out the windows we drink in the passing cars on nearby highways, of children waving at crossings, of smoke pouring from a power plant, of row upon row of corn and wheat, of flatlands and valleys, of mountains and rolling hillsides, of city skylines and village halls.

But uppermost in our minds is the final destination.

On a certain day, at a certain hour we will pull into the station. Bands will be playing and flags waving. Once we get there so many wonderful dreams will come true, and the pieces of our lives will fit together like a complete jigsaw puzzle. How restlessly we pace the aisles, damning the minutes for loitering -- waiting, waiting for the station.

"When we reach the station, that will be it!" we cry. "When I'm eighteen." "When I buy a new 450SL Mercedes Benz." "When I put the kids through college!" "When I have paid off the mortgage!" "When I get a promotion!" "When I reach the age of retirement, I shall live happily ever after!"

Sooner or later we must realize there is no station, no one place to arrive at once and for all. 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. We will rejoice and be glad in it. 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.

So stop pacing the aisles and counting the miles. Instead, climb more mountains, eat more ice cream, go barefoot more often, swim more rivers, laugh more, cry less. Life must be lived as we go along, the station will come soon enough.

Robert J. Hastings

Re: THE STATION

godi — Mon, 16 Nov 2020 12:19:47 GMT

Wow great read. 🙏❤️☕️

Re: THE STATION

jlkz — Mon, 16 Nov 2020 12:23:45 GMT

Yes, I remember that powerful vision of the journey to the station.

I have graduated schools, corporate programs, received promotions, won and lost battles, paid off the mortgage on several houses, celebrated over 50 years of marriage with the love of my life, retired, stayed healthy, etc, etc.

The station that will come is more like the door at the top of the stairs: the entrance to eternity. Hopefully I will have lived this journey in such a way as to be greeted by a " band " of angels to celebrate the final homecoming.

Re: THE STATION

Mellyg — Mon, 16 Nov 2020 12:57:43 GMT

Thank you for sharing that story @Lindsays Grandma ! It really hit home for me!

Re: THE STATION

SandySparkles — Mon, 16 Nov 2020 21:24:32 GMT

@Lindsays Grandma

I can certainly understand why this spirit lifting message is your favorite! It evokes very calm emotions.😊

~~~All we need is LOVE💖

Re: THE STATION

Lindsays Grandma — Tue, 17 Nov 2020 00:49:07 GMT

@jlkz ...You have accomplished more in your life than most people have, and you aren't finished. You should feel very proud of yourself, and I too believe in that door at the top of the stairs.

Re: THE STATION

Xivambala — Tue, 17 Nov 2020 04:33:58 GMT

When I was a very young woman, I did very little life planning. I was sure that as I aged all of life's answers would magically appear to me. That really didn't happen. This is what I have always referred to as the myth of youth. I was very motivated in my careers, and did very well. Now that I'm retired, I find myself questioning why I pushed myself so hard. The jobs meant nothing really.

The hardest part of life is finding and knowing one's inner dreams and to keep moving forward. I don't think there is an end.