Just Appetizers

TRAFFIC JAMS

 

Long lines.

 

Crowded rooms.

Sitting for long periods of time. 

Waiting for a service any where for a long period of time.

Endless  Restroom lines. 

 

Being restricted to small spaces.

 

Someone  else in control of your schedule, time and life.
The above list is a few small things that we humans may dislike.

Traveling to Africa for the first time has made me reflect on many things.

In this blog I want to share some of my observations not just about me but those who also were on the flight with me.

The flight home from South Africa was 15 hours and thirty seven minutes….YES that is a long period of time!!!!!

Just hearing how long the flight was made me anxious.

I consider myself a patient person, but being on a flight for a long time was going to test the level of patience I had.

The thoughts of sitting for a long time made me itch. I’m one of those people who keep on moving.

Once  the  plane takes off movement is limited.

Fasten seat belt sign is the law! 

As I look around I noticed we all had some  of the same things happening to us.

1. Stay seated when the seat belt sign is on.
2. Stand in line and patiently wait for restroom.
3.  Eating what is served or go hungry (no menu selections or changes)
4.  Seats that only recline  enough to allow you a bit of lounge feel.
5.  No selection in who sat beside you.

 

 The Announcement from our Captain  letting us know we were only 19 minutes from landing left me in awe from my observations.

1. Most passengers showed consideration to one another, where our own wants consume us.
2.  The discipline to stay seated and not complain was being mastered  by all passengers, even those we would say had ADHD:)
3.  Being patient and not allowing emotional outburst to break out.
4.  Eating the options given and being grateful.
5.  Happy to have  enough space  to walk if needed.
6.  Conforming to rules that most of us dislike or break …especially those rule breakers LOL

 

15 hours and thirty seven minutes revealed to me we all have the capacity to be more and do more

I was more patient in my middle seat than I thought I could be.

My emotions were governed….in other words under control 🙂

Peace became my choice as I  accepted this was my current situation and no matter how much I wanted it to change it would remain the same until it was due time.

Recognizing that the only control I had was over myself and nothing else, I surrendered to the flight and its requirements.

As we come closer to the flight ending, I realized that we had the capacity to submit to our environment and climate changes without it changing us.

Once the plane lands we have the choice to return to our routines, emotional flow, controlling habits and all we consider normal for our life.

However I have decided to continue growing from this experience. 

 

Next time I am in a traffic jam, waiting in a long line or placed in an uncomfortable situation I will recall 15 hours and thirty  37 minutes one way on the plane to South Africa on Delta Airlines!