NOT ALL WHO WANDER ARE LOST

#SMED11

The full quote reads:

All that is gold does not glitter,
not all those who wander are lost;
the old that is strong does not wither,
deep roots are not reached by the frost.
From the ashes a fire shall be woken,
a light from the shadows shall spring;
renewed shall be blade that was broken,
the crownless again shall be king.

This week’s blog title, taken from the poem by J.R.R. Tolkien for his fantasy novel ‘The Lord of the Rings,’ speaks to me on different levels, two of which I share with you :

1.      We all have a purpose in life 

Some people know their purpose from an early age and through favourable circumstances have the ability to reach it with minimum effort. Others on the other hand, take much longer to reach their purpose in life.  They wander between various study course directions and /or careers in their quest to fulfill their potential. 

Sometimes the perception can be created that they are lost/ do not have direction whilst on this journey en-route to their true calling.  I agree that in this process of self- exploration, some might indeed find themselves lost and possibly never reach their destination.

Reminding me of the quotation, ‘I may not be where I want to be, but I am a long way from where I was,’ there are those who, after many detours and exits, eventually manage to get to their final destination.

To this end I believe it will be parents, family members and acquaintances who will be the ones ‘applauding at the goalpost’  – and possibly breathing a sigh of relief too!  This ‘circle of influence’ are the ones who stayed, encouraged and supported you through thick and thin whilst you wandered around in search of your destination.

2.        IsThemba Edutrain lost as educational mode of transport?

Background : Themba Edutrain has been removed from service in 2008 for its major maintenance programme.  Two years later the train has not yet returned to service,  thereby depriving more than 30 000 learners in the Western Cape the opportunity  to travel on this unique classroom-on-wheels to places of interest.

For the sake of the thousands of educators and learners who are eagerly awaiting the return of Themba Edutrain, I sincerely hope that the train is not ‘lost’ and will find its way back into the hearts and minds of all those learners hoping for its return once the maintenance journey has been completed.

I believe that:

-        Life is a journey – enjoy the ride

-        Life is a journey -  complete it

In conclusion, we are all rooting for Themba Edutrain to complete the maintenance journey.  It will be a sad day indeed if the train does not return and is forever lost as a safe, unique and  affordable mode of transport to places of educational interest.

Photo of Themba Edutrain : Hoping it is a case of,  ‘Not all who wander are lost.’