Rescue/Take Over

I traveled to India for work this September. The team traveled to seven cities over the course of 12 days, many 12- 13 hour work days, hours in the car to travel a short distances away. I was lucky to see many historical sights and get some rest and sun on the weekend in between the work weeks. People are not lying when they tell you it is a whole different world. It is so very different from the cuisine to the history to even the hospitality, which was beyond world class.

I am going to share over the next few weeks some of my thoughts while I was there. I hope you enjoy what I share, maybe even share with a friend.

Our 3 hour drive to the Taj Mahal from New Delhi proved views of farm lands and huts you only see in movies.  Many of the farmers live in little bamboo-straw huts and tend their fields manually or with the assistance of either horses or camels. There were miles and miles of green land, the people living such simple lives.

The highway to the town Agra, where the Taj is located, is a four lane highway and posted periodically above the highway is a large sign, designating each lane with a specific purpose. The first lane stated “Rescue lane”, the second stating “Bus lane”, the third ”Car lane” and the fourth ”Take over”. Every so many miles the sign would appear and I could not but stop and ponder the rescue and take over lanes.

What if we lived our lives by traveling in certain lanes? If you traveled in the rescue lane it was clear you needed assistance. Maybe you were struggling only in that moment or maybe you were carrying a deep burden and what you really needed was someone to reach out to assist you.

What if you were feeling your best, the best you could be and therefore you traveled in the takeover lane? Possibly those around would cheer you on so you would continue the spirit of being your best.

In this world where we traveled in self exposed lanes, you could not hide from your emotions, your deepest, most honest thoughts, and because of it we all cared for each other more compassionately, always.   It was not a cold world and you were not scared to be honest about yourself and your needs. Imagine a supportive world giving you exactly what you needed in that moment.

Knowing we don’t live in that world, where the lanes we travel expose our true mindset, how about we all just show compassion regardless?

Praise, encourage, love, hug, be raw!

Last thought from that magical day to one of the wonders of the world:

On the way out of the Taj perimeter, out to the main roads, we were instantly transported into an Indian Jones movie. Driving down a very ancient little road, located in a mini village with street shops all around selling miscellaneous items. People scooting by on little scooters or mini motorcycles, children running barefoot in the streets, and others carrying baskets on their head filled with goods. Very surreal.