GIRL, YOU ARE ON THE TRAIN

A year ago, my travel buddy and I were in Colorado Springs and we impulsively decided to drive up Pikes Peak. We only made it half way, the car was over-heating and we were running out of daylight. Now, being halfway up Pikes Peak is pretty amazing in and of itself, but we wanted to see things from the summit. This year we were determined to make it to the top so we got tickets for the Pikes Peak Cog Train.

While riding to the top we passed through aspen groves the color of lemons. The bright white of the tree trunks with their black eyes sprouting into tall straight beautiful, all connected, swaying beauties in the brilliant autumn mountain air. What a sight. The mountain views as we chugged higher and higher were breath-taking; literally, Pikes Peak is over 14,000 feet high. The thin air coupled with the wide open vistas can make some dizzy and lite-headed.

While getting to the top I realized that I had gotten us tickets on the wrong side of the train (as if that were a thing). The other side of the train had the better view of the aspens, for me to get any good pictures I would have people and windows in the foreground. How disappointing.

Wait a minute! Girl, you are on the train. You can see those beautiful aspens whizzing by just fine. They are gorgeous as are the views that are opening up as you climb higher and higher and get above the tree line. You can see out and through those windows. You can feel the air that is getting cooler as you climb. You can almost reach out and touch the rocks that the bighorn rams are standing on that are outside of the windows on your side of the train. These thoughts went through my mind as I realized I would have the memories and I was having the experience. Who would I be taking the “perfect” pictures for anyway?

How often in life do we do this? We diminish the experience we are having because it isn’t the “better” one. We miss what it is that is for us. If I had been sitting on the more colorful side of the train I would have been snapping pictures and not really appreciating the whole experience. I would have gotten lots of pictures for strangers on the internet but I would have missed the kiddo sitting across from me eating an apple, two oranges, and a banana while smiling shyly at me. I would have missed the waterfalls, the rams, the boulders, the mountain giving way to the sky.

Approaching your train ride, that you looked forward to so much; that you prepared for, that you were waiting for, with an attitude of gratitude will make you appreciate what it has for you. No need to compare anyone else’s ride to yours. You will get the pictures and the very experience you are meant to get if you just keep focused on the view from your seat. Girl, you are on the train.