Brass…..or Gold?

Several times a week, along with thousands of other New York City commuters, I pass though Grand Central Terminal. Usually I’m just hurrying along, weaving my way around the mass of humanity- all of us focused on one objective: arrive at Starbucks to get a latte before facing the workday.

Usually I pass though the most efficient route as I play the role of jaded New Yorker avoiding the pesky tourists. But sometimes I go though the Main Concourse. It is, after all, quite spectacular, reminiscent of the glory days of old New York.

But it wasn’t always like that. Shortly after I moved here, I actually took a tour of Grand Central. I knew that it had been restored. But I hadn’t realized the extent of the restoration.

The famous ceiling took 12 years of painstaking work to restore. Over the years, it had turned a grimy brown color- which analysis showed was primarily due to accumulation of cigarette smoke. The painting under the grime had faded.

My favorite tidbit is about the landmark round chandeliers. Everyone had assumed they were made of brass. But, as they were cleaned- it wasn’t brass that emerged from layers of grime and years of neglect- it was gold!

What a fabulous analogy for life. We all start out pristine, fabulous, shining in all our golden glory. Over time, though, the grime of life builds up.  We get weighed down by the burden of dust and dirt that slowly, gradually accumulated over time. We feel dull and lackluster. We give up on ourselves- we are ready for the wrecking ball.

After all, the old Penn Station in New York of that era had been even grander than Grand Central. But it was demolished

But then, maybe, something happens. A spark. We feel a little fight- we will not succumb to the wrecking ball. We gain momentum and begin the painstaking, adruduos task of clearing off the grime, layer by layer. Gradually, we see some of our old self that we recognize. This motivates us to keep going, continuing with the restoration for many years, until it is complete.

The restoration of the ceiling of Grand Central took 12 years. It was difficult, tedious work. Most things worth doing are. And most of the time the result is worth it. But in today’s drive though, microwave society; we try to ignore this fundamental truth. We CAN change our lives. We just can’t change them overnight. It takes dedication and persistence and tenacity. And the results are gloriously worth it!

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