A bus metaphor

Imagine walking toward a bus stop. You’re still a good ways off, and the bus is about to depart. There are a few different thoughts you might have:

• I have to catch this bus.

• If I miss this bus, I’ll just catch the next one.

• This is the last bus, but I don’t mind walking.

• I’m going to miss the bus; I didn’t want to go anyway.

Each of these attitudes will result in different feelings. They each will elicit a different response. Our understanding of the situation, paired with our expectations, sets the level of drive (or panic).

* * *

In our daily work and our seasonal endeavors, we slot into these different modes. Much of it depends on our worldview and what we believe about opportunity.

If we think there’s a constant schedule of buses, we’ll respond differently than if we think there’s only one bus and we’re about to miss it.

We can’t live in constant “this is my one and only chance” mode. Likewise, it’s foolish to think that opportunities are plentiful, regular, and infinite.

Part of our challenge is figuring out the balance between hustle and rest, between impassioned drive and grace-filled release.