"Tucked away in our subconscious is an idyllic vision. We see ourselves on a long trip that spans the continent. We are travelling by trains. Out of the windows we drink in the passing scenes of cars on nearby highways, or children waving at a passing crossing, of cattle grazing on a distant hillside, of smoke pouring from a power plant, of row upon row of corn and wheat, of flatlands and valleys, of mountains and rolling hillsides of city skylines and village halls.

"But uppermost in our mind is the final destination. On a certain day at a certain hour, we will pull into the Station. Bands will be playing and flags waving. Once we get there so many wonderful dreams will come true and pieces of our lives will fit together like a completed jigsaw puzzle. How restlessly we pace the aisles damning the minutes for loitering waiting, waiting, waiting for the Station.

'When we reach the Station, that will be it!' we promise ourselves. 'When we're 18 . . . win that promotion . . . put the last kid through college . . . buy that 450SL Mercedes-Benz . . . have a nest egg for retirement!' From that day on we will all live happily ever after.

"Sooner or later, however, we must realize that there is no Station in this life, no one earthly place to arrive at once and for all. The journey is the joy. The Station is an illusion – it constantly outdistances us . . .

"So gently close the door on yesterday and throw the key away. It isn't the burdens of today that drive men mad, but rather the regret over yesterday and the fear of tomorrow. Regret and fear are twin thieves who would rob us of today. 'Relish the moment' is a good motto . . .

"So stop pacing the aisles and counting the miles. Instead, swim more rivers, climb more mountains, kiss more babies, count more stars. Laugh more and cry less. Go barefoot oftener. Eat more ice cream. Ride more merry-go-rounds. Watch more sunsets. Life must be lived as we go along. The Station will come soon enough."