I can remember how mesmerized I felt the first time I took
the train to New York and walked the squeaky floors of Grand Central Station.
Head tilted back, my eyes struggled to register all the sights fast enough. The
rushing crowds—that’s what left the greatest impression on my young soul.
Yesterday I read a National
Geographic article (because I sit down to casually read those all the time)
that stated Grand Central Terminal “attracts some 21 million tourists annually.”
The article also revealed that 750,000 thousand people pass through Grand
Central daily with that number rising to one million during the holiday season.
The idea that our brains act as receptors of information
much like Grand Central does for traveling people isn’t an original thought, I
realize. However, as we’re bombarded with cognitive input I began to wonder if
there’s not a greater takeaway rooted in this metaphor.
What if we all have one core
belief that runs the train schedule?
One predominate belief that influences every individual notion
that passes in and out of the station?
Every single thought enters in, coalescing with this core belief, bumping
against it, then exits coated with this core belief.
It’s easy to spend our days caught up in the crowds, the rush
of thoughts, instead of taking a moment to focus on the squeaky floor where
we’re standing.
I’m going to be brave and share some core beliefs that have
served as my Grand Central during different years of my life…
I’m not good enough.
Pain (befitting of my maiden
name).
I need you to like me.
Why?
There’s a reason for this.
I might never know the reason for
this.
Thirst for the creative.
Grow.
“For when I am weak, then I am
strong.” 2 Cor. 13:9
Much to learn.
Lyrics filtered through thought
channels, “Humble yourself in the sight of the Lord and He will lift you up.”
Fear not + Risk.
Hope.
The best is yet to come.
Pessimists may naturally find their
core beliefs gravitate toward the negative. While the optimist likely walks
around with an “I will grow from this” attitude no matter the circumstances
they’re facing.
This isn’t a post about positive
thinking or a ten step how-to. I happen to simply believe in the benefit of
knowing where you are in order to help you get to where you want to go.
Where are you? In
other words, what is your present core belief at the intersection of all your
thoughts?
*photos by stock.XCHNG
**Can’t you just hear Cat Stevens singing, “Ride on the
peace train…hoo ah ee ah hoo ah…”?
