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| THE SCALATOR In preparation for my wife's birthday, I was shopping at large store in the center of the city. I could not find the gift I wanted, however. And, a little disappointed, I sat down to rest in a spot between some artificial plants and the escalator in a restaurant of the shopping mall and watched the parade of shoppers. Have you ever noticed how interesting it is to observe the escalators in a big store? I watched as people ascended and descended. Each of them had their own peculiar way of alighting - some quickly getting on, some hesitating before stepping on, and still others even turning around and riding backwards. This constant coming and going of the crowd was, for me, no doubt just passing amusement. But, it also became the source of a more serious reflection : It dawned on me that destiny was a bit like an escalator. In other words, the escalator could be seen as a metaphor for destiny. People begin their journey on the escalator of life at birth - - much like people who begin as they take that first step on the escalator. And, our life terminates at the topmost point, after we cover the last step, just as people end their life's journey. What in your opinion is the best way to climb aboard? Should it be to hurry to be first, selfishly pushing past others, and all red and puffing, because of our journey? Should it be done hesitatingly, marked with doubt, always retracing and questioning the stability and "rightness" of steps, which only serves to increase the risks of falling and obstructing everyone traveling on the same path? Conversely, is it not more preferable to take the escalator that has been granted to each of us, as calmly as is possible, at our pace, being sure to arrive at our final destination without hurting ourselves? ............................................................... "Destiny is not by chance, but by choice. One does not submit to destiny, but follows it." Williams Jennifer Bryon ............................................................... |