ABOVE THE CLOUDS… A Season of Random Reflections

Necessary Changes

Here I am cruising at thirty-two thousand feet on one of many flights between my home city and a work destination. My trip originally scheduled for this time yesterday was cancelled at the last minute due to inclement weather. A day later, with the sun streaming through the windows of the business class cabin, it is going to take at least an extra half-hour to get to our destination because we have been re-routed. The new route will add an extra two hundred or so miles, but it will get us around weather that is not conducive to safe, comfortable flying. Small price to pay I thought. I just want to get to my destination safely.

Ultimately we will accept changes in our lives, and to our plans, when we realize that we have no viable alternative… and gladly so. I have grown more and more patient with these delays and re-routings from experience. One kinda has no choice but to adapt if one intends to remain in the most healthy state of mind. I bolster my acquired stoicism by telling myself “Safety first!”. Yesterday my flight was cancelled because of bad weather. Today I will get to my destination at least a half hour later because of similar concerns. Ok. Safety first. And besides, what’s an extra half hour or so in the scheme of things.

My Fellow Travellers

It has become quite interesting to stand by and observe some of my fellow travelers’ reactions to these delays and unexpected changes. Some get really discombobulated. To hear them tell it, they have important business that must be attended to as scheduled. Some rant and rave a little, demonstrating that aura of self-importance that they come to be known for; but to no avail. To such persons it matters not what the reason for the change is. Come hail or high water, the airline had better find a way to get them to their destination on time.

Read More