How do you find your way when you are off in a foreign city, especially with a language barrier? Anna and I were navigating Denmark on our own the very last day there when our host fell sick.
One adventure of that was figuring out how to buy a ticket and get onto the right metro train to the airport.
We purchased our tickets just as the train pulled up to the stop. We jumped aboard with luggage and carry-ons.
We sat down, and the train began moving along quickly, but something seemed wrong.
Were we on the right train?
We decided to GET OFF at the next stop and BE SURE we were going the right way.
As we got out, another train came by.
“THIS is it,” we decided, so we climbed on.
It said airport. Only, as we started, it was going backward!!
“Wait, this is going away from the airport!” we decided.
We GOT OFF the train at the next stop again!
This time we took TIME TO REFLECT.
We thought about where we had been as we looked at the map and considered where we wanted to go.
Our host’s words to get on the train on the right came back to me as we reflected looking at the map.
We DID get on the one to the right, but we had turned around when buying the ticket!
We went to the other side and looked at the announcement of the approaching train.
“Airport- 3 minutes,” it announced.
“THIS is it!”we decided.
I always like to confirm my directions!
Two college-aged girls were waiting for the same metro train.
“Is this the one to the airport?” I questioned in English.
“Yes!” they said, smiling at my apparent state of confusion.
It paid off to take the time to STEP OFF both the previous trains.
NEITHER would have gotten us to our desired destination.
We TOOK TIME TO REFLECT WHERE WE HAD BEEN AND WHERE WE WANTED TO GO before moving forward.
During that time, we RECALLED the words of one who knew the right train so we could follow the instructions.
We got to the airport!
Just like our little misadventure, YOU are on a journey in life.
If you are uncertain or think you are going the wrong way, it is SMART to JUMP OFF THAT TRAIN AT THE NEXT STOP to ensure you are going in the right direction!
There is so much hype about getting onboard and moving faster with a convenient means to get there.
Just be certain THE TRAIN ITSELF is not only moving but headed to YOUR destination.
It is better to be standing still than on a train moving away from where you want to be!
Take time to REFLECT ON WHERE YOU HAVE BEEN.
THINK ABOUT WHERE YOU WANT TO GO.
TRY TO RECALL ANY WISDOM OR DIRECTIONS you have received in the past from someone who has been this way before successfully.
ASK someone at your station WHO IS HEADING FOR THE SAME DESTINATION.
NEVER STAY ON A TRAIN when you question if it is going in the wrong direction!
Have you ever gotten on a train or bus only to find it was taking you away from your desired destination or just not confident it was the right way?