A funny story happened last week in Brazil. After delivering a program there my wife and I were catching the plane back to our home in Portugal. We entered the airport, passed security and reached boarding zone... and then discovered that the flight had been canceled.
After 30 minutes calling the airline they told us that the only flight back would be today, (four days after the original flight). I felt my stomach tightening, my hands sweating, and my thoughts rushing about our cats, all the professional commitments I had already scheduled in Portugal, etc.
I decided to take a breath, and as we were speaking with a security officer to get more information, I decided, that instead of panicking, to act with kindness and to ask about his story.
The security officer's name was Raul, he wasn't happy in this job and in his country and his dream was to become a radio sports anchor, moving to another country with his wife and small dau
ghter. He told us his story while guiding us back for several minutes to the check-in part of the airport (going again through security and all).
We laughed together, and in the end, I wished him well, and for him to have strength and luck, etc.
When he left us at our airline desk to ask to take care of the flight cancellation complaint, our eyes were shining, our spirits were lifted. Maybe that was the trigger that allowed us to talk nicely and compassionately with the lady at the desk (while all the other customers were complaining and screaming) and... maybe also that allowed us to get a special connection back home with a small act of bureaucratic kindness she had (while the big majority of customers stayed in S. Paulo and maybe only today are arriving home).
Trust the ripples, they say, trust the ripples. ;)
After 30 minutes calling the airline they told us that the only flight back would be today, (four days after the original flight). I felt my stomach tightening, my hands sweating, and my thoughts rushing about our cats, all the professional commitments I had already scheduled in Portugal, etc.
I decided to take a breath, and as we were speaking with a security officer to get more information, I decided, that instead of panicking, to act with kindness and to ask about his story.
The security officer's name was Raul, he wasn't happy in this job and in his country and his dream was to become a radio sports anchor, moving to another country with his wife and small dau
ghter. He told us his story while guiding us back for several minutes to the check-in part of the airport (going again through security and all).We laughed together, and in the end, I wished him well, and for him to have strength and luck, etc.
When he left us at our airline desk to ask to take care of the flight cancellation complaint, our eyes were shining, our spirits were lifted. Maybe that was the trigger that allowed us to talk nicely and compassionately with the lady at the desk (while all the other customers were complaining and screaming) and... maybe also that allowed us to get a special connection back home with a small act of bureaucratic kindness she had (while the big majority of customers stayed in S. Paulo and maybe only today are arriving home).
Trust the ripples, they say, trust the ripples. ;)
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- Posted by kindful
- Apr 29, 2018
- Comments (9)
Readers Comments
Happyangel wrote: Thank you for sharing your story and how you turned your situation to a positive experience.
Love wrote: Thanks you for sharing this wonderful story!
lindariebel wrote: Overcoming frustrations like this really is an art form!
pluto178 wrote: Always have faith things will work out for the best. . . . .its always the best way forward kicking up a fuss causes even more chaos. X
Painiacs wrote: What a wonderful way to handle adversity!! Hope the security ma's spirit was uplifted and may he be able to one day fulfill his dreams. Glad you got home safe and sound
mindyjourney wrote: There is always a reason and to focus on our heart “connection†provides faith that all is working out as it should. Thank you for doing and welcome hOMe! :)
Mish wrote: When we "Choose love" things seem to work this way :))
leoladyc728 wrote: glad you are home safe and sound
kjoyw wrote: Such a great story. Have been in very similar situation and was traveling alone. Always better to stay calm and be kind. Well done!
