Most people are surprised to find out German trains aren’t particularly on time. Last year, it was only around 60% of them. Granted, most delays are only a matter of minutes, but it is usually with those minutes that the system will drive you to the brink of insanity, because many long-distance journeys include switching trains at least once.
When I move between Munich and my parents’ home, I need to swap twice. Somehow, the Deutsche Bahn manages to shrink my transfer time down to a minute or two with an oddly impressive frequency. Eleven minutes become seven, become five, become two. And off you go!
Yesterday, I was once again in this situation. My 17-minute lead had vanished. I arrived at 5:33 on platform 10. The other train? Leaving at 5:35 from platform 2. Spoiler alert: I ran like a madman. Heavy backpack. Sorta heavy suitcase. Puffy jacket. Fun! With my heart rate at 200, I plopped down into my seat. Made it! As soon as I’d sat down, I heard the announcer: “Due to trains ahead of us, our departure will be delayed by a few minutes.” Ahh, the usual. Good one, Deutsche Bahn! And of course that delay didn’t show up in the app I updated frantically every 15 seconds during arrival. Argh, this company!
In the last ten minutes before my sprint, however, still on the other train, I had a moment of clarity. I knew I’d have to decide: Do I run or do I let it go? I could go for it and potentially still miss my connection, or I could stroll leisurely into the arrival hall, grab a coffee, and wait an hour for the next one. I remembered talking to my friend Maarten about this years ago: “I don’t get it,” he said. “Why do people run for the bus? Just take the next one!” There are some lifestyle factors here, of course, but I remember agreeing with him back then. I believe I still do and always have. But then why am I running for the train?
To run or not to run. To chase life or let it come to you. It’s a choice—even when it doesn’t feel like it. I’m glad I made it deliberately in this instance, but I’m also not sure I want to keep picking the same option.
Reflection happens in the space between opportunity and action. It’s beautiful when you get to see it in real-time and marvelous when you consciously decide to change course. Use that space. Make choices, and move forward—just like a train, even when it’s yet again delayed.
