Side Tracked

It annoys me. Today, I am on Amtrak, somewhere between Sedalia and Jefferson City. Naturally the train was about 35 minutes late getting to Warrensburg. Being an old hat at riding Amtrak, this did not surprise or upset me in the least. Upon exiting Sedalia we came to a stop. Here we had to wait no more than 20 minutes for a broken down freight train to fix itself and pass. From the moment the announcement was made, all I heard on board was complaints, angry comments, and ridiculous expectations. What is wrong with people? We have a lovely view out the windows, we are in an air conditioned car with a fully stocked snack car. The people on this train are given the opportunity to slow down. To talk to their friends and family, read a book, play a game, or just enjoy the stillness of the moment. Instead they crowd the rail car with their frustration and exasperation. Even other people who have ridden this train criticize. It is very unbecoming, and disagreeable. Why can’t we enjoy the moments we are given. Opportunities missed. Next time you find your flight delayed or something like that, let me encourage you to use the time for the better. Complaints and whining accomplish nothing, no matter how vocal you are or how loud you express them. Think of moments such as these as gifts of time, not as curses.


Two hours later, and pulled over yet again. I’m putting up with the same complaints. Absolutely tired of it, to the point of screaming at them to shut up and be happy with what they have. I decide to put my headphones in and listen to music. It pours over me like a water fall, washing away all my ill feelings, blotting out everyone’s complaints and meaningless banter, and leaves a haven. I feel comfortable and safe once again. And it occurs to me, yet again, that this is part of my adventure. It is just one step toward the goal, whatever that may be, one more part of the trail toward the treasure. Complaints in situations like this show nothing but weakness and lack of courage. Here it occurs to me the importance of courage, real courage. I was watching The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers the other day. In the extended directors cut there is a section that particular touched me. Aragorn and the girl from Rohan are speaking about fear before they leave for Helmsdeep.

“What do you fear?”
“A cage. To stay behind bars until youths and old age accept them, and all chance of valor has gone beyond recall or desire.”


I think the most important part of this quotation is the part about valor. Just as important as freedom and liberty is a sense of honor and valor. Without honor and valor, freedom and liberty will soon be lost. Once these qualities are lost, freedom and liberty will be beyond reach.

It is important for us to be brave. I do not mean simply being brave in every day life either. It is brave to go to work everyday, to not let your children see your struggles, to cut back so that you may share with others. But I am not talking about common bravery, I am talking about valor. We must show true valor, extreme bravery, everyday. The kind of bravery that keeps men going when they haven’t eaten in a week, slept in three days, and have a battle, a true physically, emotionally, and spiritually taxing battle to fight the next day. The kind of battle where one’s life is at stake. This should be our attitude everyday in all that we do. Not some cheesy “Love is a battle field” sort of attitude, but one of valor and honor.

We wonder where the days of old have gone. What ever happened to chivalry and a “code”? In short, we let a few handle the job, when it should be the many. Be honorable, be courageous, and show valor to your co-workers, your boss, your wife, your friends, and those you meet in Wal-Mart or on the street. It is not so hard, it is within each of us. But it is hard to find under the layers of fear and self importance we have caked over the top. Dig deep, and polish it, and let is shine.

It is clear to me the lack of courage and valor as I listen to the passengers on this train. They are not concerned with the engineers on the freight train, the conductors on this one, or even the passengers on the other Amtrak train headed in the opposite direction that is being held up by the same freight train. They are only concerned about themselves and getting themselves home where they can gorge themselves on fatty food and play video games.

Did you happen to note the number of times I said, “themselves” in that last paragraph. Awful, isn’t it. We’ve even come so far as to start justifying those feelings. It is ok to want to get home, but at what cost? I desire to get home as well, it has been a while since I’ve seen my family, and yet I know that there are others on this train, on the other Amtrak train, not to mention the conductors and engineers (who may not have seen their families for much longer than any of us) that are also being delayed. They are my first thought (aside from being annoyed with everyone’s complaining).

I’ve had the blessing to watch a fiery, red sunset in the horizon over a freshly mowed wheat field, listen to some brilliant music, write some of my thoughts, read a wonderful book, and just reflect in general during this time where there world is not rushing by in a blur, but rather standing perfectly still for me to observe closely and lovingly.