On The Right Track

I learned from my daughters that in the theater, a "track" is the path and set of actions that a particular character follows throughout the show. When an understudy jumps in, he or she generally follows that "track," so as not to upset the balance of the rest of the show.

Often, we think of tracks as something far more standard and defined, like train tracks that connect one city with another. If we want to get from one place to another, we simply follow the same track as anyone else making that journey. Right?

It turns out that the theater version of "track" is a whole lot closer to how life actually works. While all of the characters in a show may get to the curtain call at the end of the show, each character takes a different path to get there. Likewise, each of us follows a different life track, even if we all end up in some of the same places. Because of our separate tracks, we see things differently, experience the same moments differently, and arrive at our destination differently. It is only when we step off our own track, and onto someone else's, that we really understand the whole show, and the parts each one of us play.

I learned today that it is worth stepping off your own track and onto someone else's once in a while. It is worth seeing the "stage" from a different angle, and life from a different point of view. I may be back on my own track now--too much time on other tracks might cause collisions--but I am grateful for the little detour, and for the resulting big changes in my view.