We Are All “Sharing the Journey”
I recently attended a Film Festival in my home town. A number of independent films were previewed. One of them in particular called to me. The film was entitled “In Transit.” It profiled the journey of several different individuals, travelling along Amtrak’s “Empire Builder” line that travels between Chicago, Illinois and Seattle, Washington in the Pacific Northwest United States. An “Empire Builder” train ride, entire distance, takes three days to complete. It is an experience where those taking part in the journey are able to bond with fellow travelers as they make their way cross-country.
After viewing the film itself, a question and answer question was held with 3 of the members of the team that helped to make the film. One of the things they explained was how the film was edited. The creators captured the pure human emotion of the ride in 3 distinct segments. During Day 1 of the trip, just about all of the passengers profiled were filled with excitement about their future expectations once they reached the end of the journey. For some, there was the excitement of possibly new life experiences. For others it was returning to an area where they grew up. Still others, were looking to leave behind a life that was not so kind to them from where they boarded the train.
As the film progressed to Day 2 of the journey, one could start seeing a change in mindset of the passengers. Now more than 24 hours into their journey were reflections of the places and people they had left behind. For some there was defiance that they were definitely moving onto a better life. For others there was grief over what they may have experienced. Others, especially those who were leaving behind loved ones to find employment in the oil industry which is predominant in the Northern part of the United States, envisioned making a better life for themselves and their loved ones. Reflections showed emotions ranging from doubt creeping into mindsets to hope that the decision to make the journey was the right choice.
Day 3 was arrival day for passengers. Focus definitely moved to the present. Just what would they face when they stepped off the train? Were they ready for what they were about to face? Would that which they had dreamed about when departing on their trip, actually happen?
As one who coaches a number of people going through life transitions, many employment related, but certainly others going through changes involved in moving with family from one point of the United States or the world to my home area in the New Jersey/New York City area, the stories truly connected. Change of any sort will fill one with a number of different emotions. While certainly, excitement and anticipation are encouraged and justified, doubt will often creep into the equation. And, while working with a coach such as myself guiding toward building a strategy to maneuver the path of change, concern about outcomes is on the minds of most going through the process.
I guess the real message I took away from the film was that all of us in our everyday life, whether boarding a train or not, continually travel with that flow of anticipating great things through change, reflecting back on from where we have come and ultimately coming to terms with dealing with the present when we begin to reach our destination. And, while we may want to say to ourselves that we should just accept the outcomes as they come, that is not an easy thing to do. However, as the film relayed its message it was clear to see that if you find yourself going through doubts and concerns as change is occurring in your life, there is nothing wrong with you. In fact, the reality is you have a host of fellow passengers, sharing the same feelings, as they go forward on their respective journeys.
