Are you a train driver or conductor?

A machinist is a relatively simple profession. In the sense that you always know where you are going. The rails are already there, the stations are known and so is the terminus.

Of course, operating the train is something you have to learn, and there are turns where you really do have to keep your attention for a while. But the rails are there and you follow them.

Sometimes there are challenges. Then there's ice on the rails or it's so hot that the track is turned off. Then you can't ride the train for a while and you have to wait until you can ride again. But you always know where you are going.

Something terrible can also happen on the trail. Then you might stop working for a while or even completely.

Fortunately, most of the time things go fine and stop at every station on your way. People get off and people get back on who join you on your journey to the final station. Some people travel all the way with you to the terminus, but many get off again somewhere else.

And that's fine, because everyone has a different starting point and ending point. You also enjoy it when some travel with you for a while, but you're also fine when they get off. Everyone has their own destination. You know that.

A conductor doesn't know that. Who cuts tickets on the train being driven by someone else. Who depends on who is behind the wheel of the train. Sometimes he is on one train, sometimes on another. The final destination is unknown and so are the stations. Indeed, that can vary from day to day or from week to week.

Sometimes something different happens. Then a switch comes and changes the rails and the destination. As a driver, you then have to switch gears for a while, but because you can soon see the rails in front of you and know where you are going next, it is manageable.

The conductor does not see the rails, cut tickets for passengers, but he does see where he ends up and who is at the wheel.

Most people are conductors. Sitting on a train they don't know where it's going. The train can be driven by depression, madness, sadness, joy or whatever. Depending on who or what is driving it, the destinations change and you never really get to where you want to be.

Some neighborhoods you don't want to be in at all, nor do you want people there to get on your train, but yes you drive by... So they get on. And maybe they stay for a very long time and then get them out.

Be a train driver. Choose your own rails, your own train and your own stations that people get into. Whether you have hooligans on it or students. Who is on your train can really make a difference.