I decided while I was vacation last week to visit a speaking colleague and good friend in Windsor. I also decided to let someone else do the driving and enjoyed the four-hour trip aboard Via Rail. I have not been on a train since I was a child and thoroughly enjoyed the relaxation, the scenery and the people!

On the way to Windsor, I had the cutest two-year-old boy in my train car. After he settled down from his excitement, he decided he wanted to walk down the aisle. With his watchful mom behind him, he cautiously stepped his way into the aisle and just stood there. Not holding onto anything, he stood in one spot, for a couple of minutes. Observing his actions and behaviour, I realized what he was doing:

Finding his balance
In all likelihood, riding on a train was a new experience for him. The rocking motion of the train took him by surprise. It did not take him long to figure out that, in order not to topple over, he had to find his balance and equilibrium.

Stopping and enjoying the scenery
He stood there and soaked in the sea of smiling faces, the huge windows, the train whistle blowing and the trees and buildings passing by at breakneck speed. He was innocently captivated by the new sights and sounds.

Enjoying the present moment
It was a joy to watch him being in the moment. He had a huge smile on his face and was delighted to be the centre of attention. There were no distractions, except for enjoying this moment of staying upright!

Taking a leap of faith
With his parents encouraging and supporting him, he took that first step without falling down. That small step produced a smile that lit up the whole train car!

Rewarding himself
After awhile, he was racing up and down the aisle to the jubilation of the passengers and his parents who showered him with hugs, kisses and gifts! Not a bad reward for taking that scary first step.

I am not too sure if the other passengers observed what I saw, but I have to thank a little boy with an old soul to remind me of life's simple lessons: finding your balance, enjoying the scenery, being in the present moment, taking a leap of faith and rewarding yourself for a job well done. I just wish he came into my life sooner!

You see, a couple of days before the train ride, after a busy year of co-publishing three collaborative books and speaking engagements, it all came to a head for me (literally). Always in a hurry, I was getting changed in my bedroom, had one leg in a pair of pants, and the other one about to enter the other pant leg, when.....you guessed it—WHAM! I lost my balance, could not recover and went flying and banged my head against the wall.

That fall jolted me and sent shockwaves through my whole being, and every time I went to take another step that image of falling made me hesitate and feel less confident. Not quite of attitude I wanted to carry with me on my upcoming trip! So this boy taught me a valuable lesson that can be applied to every area of my life—work, play, family, friends, down time—and not just putting on pants.