It’s here, the most wonderful time of the year. The time when we bake cookies and listen to seasonal music far too much. The time when we visit family and friends, remembering well which people we should see more of and which we should see less often.
It’s the time for waiting in crowded airports to celebrate with our nearest and dearest.
I’ve been at many, many airports. I have had flights cancelled at the very last minute. I have had flights deterred to a place I did not intend to go. I was once stuck in an airport playing cards with strangers for 13 hours, when I could have driven to the place I was going in 6.
You know what? None of it was horrible.
The wonder of travel is the exact thing that can make it annoying: you can’t control the whole thing. No matter how organized you may be, you have no say on the weather or your seatmate or even if the food is going to be good (although Yelp can help minimize the surprise).
Travel is the unexpected. Travel introduces you to two companions: go and flow.
Go with the flow.
If you find yourself waiting a lot longer than you intended to, take it as a gift of time. You can’t always argue your way into a new flight, even with all the frequent flier miles in the world.
Give yourself the opportunity to sit and do what brings out your best self.
Is that breathing quietly to yourself with headphones and no music? Awesome. Is it reading something that slows your heart rate? Good. Is it sitting with a cup of spiced tea and watching people rush around you? Do it. Do you.
I worked in the travel industry for years, and I know that airports don’t often bring out the best in people. While you are waiting, whether it’s for a lot or a little, be the best version of yourself.
The airport needs that version of you. The world does. You have the potential to influence others and truly make this time of year the most wonderful time indeed.
