The Smoky Mountains are a necessary part of driving from Nashville to Charlotte.
They’re not in the way. They’re on the way.
Similarly…
As you are en route to Charlotte, it doesn’t do any good to get mad at Knoxville for not being Charlotte.
Both metaphors hold up pretty well in whatever our journeys are.
»» But maybe the most important part of the metaphor is knowing you’re in Nashville and that Charlotte is your desired destination.
