Be a Truck not a Train

My wife and I recently celebrated our wedding anniversary with a trip to visit our oldest daughter in college. At first, we considered taking the train, but once we realized we’d be hauling a good amount of gear to her new apartment, the truck made more sense. We set our alarms for 4 a.m., hit the road heading north, and made a couple of quick stops along the way—trying to beat the inevitable LA traffic.

A train runs on a set schedule, leaving and arriving at a specific time, traveling from point A to point B at a speed chosen by the conductor to meet the promised arrival. A truck, on the other hand, leaves when you want, stops where you want, carries what you need, and keeps you mobile when you arrive.

Not long after that trip, a friend’s son asked me for advice as he prepared for college. I told him, “Be a truck, not a train.” Yes, set a destination and have a goal—but stay open to the detours. Pull over for the unexpected. Because often, the best parts of life happen in those unplanned moments along the way.