I took a few roads less traveled today thanks to a massive nor’easter that dumped record amounts of rainfall. For two hours I struggled to drive what is usually about 25 minutes to get from one side of town to the other – just twelve miles. Bridges were out at every turn as I made my way north along a river road. I persisted though, first north, then circling back south until I finally found a single open crossing. So the first lesson today reinforced the value of sticking to your goals, working tirelessly, and probing options, until success is at hand.
During the trip, since traffic wasn’t moving well in any direction, I decided to park and run into the bank. I walked right past a gentleman who, although there were few others around braving the wet, windy, cold weather, was sitting half bundled and rain soaked on a park bench in front a favorite local magazine stand. I noticed the man, but as is not uncommon with our hurried lives, I scrambled past him without acknowledgement – in fact, unwilling to notice. Still in a hurry when I left the bank, I walked past him again in the other direction. I could only take about ten steps this time though, and then turned back to greet the man. I asked him if he would like a cup of coffee. “Yes,” he said. “With cream and sugar?” “Yes, four sugars,” he replied. I walked back a couple of blocks to a coffee shop for a cup of coffee, sugar, cream, and a bagel. I brought these to the man on the bench. I looked him in the eye and asked him his name. “Louie,” he said. “Hello, my name is John,” I replied. I was glad to make Louie’s acquaintance in the storm.
I finally made it across to my destination. At that moment, the torrential rain stopped.