I Can’t Wear Heels On the Train!
Sometimes it amazes me how God can use a situation to bring you face to face with the one thing you don’t want to see or do. We get so used to doing, feeling and acting a certain way, when HE says “enough!”. I don’t know if this started out as a lesson, but I took a lot away from the brief experience.
I Want You To Move
A few weeks ago I had to put my 1990 Volkswagen Golf in the shop. Usually I’m able to get it back the same day, but this time that wasn’t the case. The back struts were rusted and corroded and needed to be replaced. Here’s what I learned during my carless three days.
Face Your Fear
Being without a car left me to fend for myself and take public transportation into work. I didn’t like the option, but it really was the only one I had (I didn’t want to inconvenience folks I know when I could get it worked out myself). This took me completely outside of my comfort zone. I mean, I’ll take the Regional Rail into the city, but dealing with SEPTA is a whole other animal. Being around a large number of people sometimes puts me on edge. What made matters worse is that there were reports lately that people were being beaten on the subway trains. Not good…for me anyway. I took a deep breath and told myself nothing was going to happen to me. If my mom could go into the city on the subway for 28 days of medical treatment, I could handle it for the duration of my car being down. Get over it and move on.
Move Out of Your Comfort Zone
I went to the SEPTA website and mapped out my route and time frame for the trip. I live in West Oak Lane and work in Wynnewood, so the trip would take me about 1 1/2 hours (give or take a Regional Rail delay) and three connections. Are ya kidding me? Then I have to walk from the train to the seminary? ARGHH!!! This was going to hurt, but I sucked it up and got myself mentally ready for the onslaught of people traffic, running to make connections and hiking it up a suburban hill.
Naturally, because I’m in my “I need to be comfortable” phase of my life, I dressed according to my traveling needs. Pants, a jacket and flat comfortable shoes. Ok, I dress like that most days, but hey, it’s comfy.
I walked across the street to the bus stop. I had to wait all of 2 minutes before the bus came. So far so good. I got to Broad St. and went down into the subway to wait for the Express Train to City Hall. As I waited, I looked around at my fellow travelers and noticed how much fashion rode the subway everyday. I mean, woman and men so well put together I felt like I had just rolled out of bed and threw on the closest thing to me.
Heels?! On the Train?! Yes, You Can.
We’re talking 3 inch heels, sharp dresses and carefully coiffed hair as if they just stepped out of the salon. I won’t even go into how their flawless make-up tied it all up with a bow. I have fallen well below the fashion poverty line. I desperately needed to up my game. But, I can’t wear heels on the train! How the hell would I be able to walk quickly from one point to the next? I mean, just because it looked like they could play basketball in theirs didn’t mean I could pull it off. I don’t even wear heels when I’m driving (it scuffs the back of the shoe, or at least that’s what I tell myself).
Another 10 minute wait and the express came. I got on the train and distracted myself from staring at people by reading a study guide I’d picked up. The ride was eventless (thank God!) and I was soon making my way to the Regional rail, my third connection. I’m walking through the tunnel and all I hear is the clicking of a million heels moving quickly behind, in front and beside me. Again with the heels! I mean, ok! I get it! I’ll start actually wearing the heels I keep buying and tucking away in my shoe closet. I promise, just stop taunting me!
Be patient, Things Are Not Always In Your Control
I made it to the Regional Rail line and bought my ticket to ride. For some reason I still can’t figure out, I didn’t buy the round trip, even after the cashier asked me. I found which track the train arrived on and read the board. There would be a 5 minute delay. I was already pushing it with time and this didn’t look good. So, instead of stressing I called into work and told them I was going to be late, exhaled and went back to my book.
Walking Into Your Destiny Can Be An Uphill Climb
The train let me off at Merion Station and I looked, I am sure, like I just got off the bus in Hollywood by way of Kansas. After being directed to a tunnel that connects the two sides of the station (I’m sorry, but it felt like I was walking in part of the underground railroad), I made my trek to the seminary. From the seminary gates I imagined the walk would be about 5 minutes to the top. Afterall, the streets didn’t appear to be that long. Ten minutes later, when I reached the midway point and still didn’t see Wynnewood Road in the far distance, I knew my imagination once again stared me wrong. It was at that point I realized I needed to get my butt back in the gym because I should not have been that out of breath.
When You Can See How Far You’ve Come
Once I made it to the top of the hill, I turned around and saw the distance of the seemingly short street. It was a long trek (or at least it felt like it), but I made it to the top. I felt like I’d just made it to the pit stop on The Amazing Race. I was waiting to hear Joe say, “Clesha…you’re team number one!”.
I looked back and saw the winding road and took a deep breath to finish the last leg of the journey. I had to chuckle to myself when I remembered seeing all the Obama For President signs on the lawns of this tree lined, white suburban street.
You Still Have A Ways To Go
The seminary was across the street from where I stood and I looked at the distance I had left to walk in order to get to my desk. I still needed to walk the length of the iron gate to reach the entrance (about 1 1/2-2 city blocks). Once on the grounds, I would have to walk to the library. Incidentally, the walk to the library would be in the same direction I’d just came when I walked the length of the iron gates from the outside. The whole time I’m walking, I thought of a million and one ways to open the gate entrance nearest the corner without it being a security risk. I made it to the library, out of breath and tired (did I mention how out of shape I am?). It took me about 20-25 minutes to walk from the train station to the library.
As I got myself together, I couldn’t help but feel like I just accomplished something great. I mean, I went completely out of my comfort zone and pushed through a fear that tends to creep up on my at this time of year. I also realized that I’ve gotten too complacent with where I am in my life and, although I’m making an effort to move forward, I need to be patient and wait in the process.
I can wear heels on the train…and still get where I have to go.
Tags: selah
