It is the one thing a traveler hates to see when flying-"Flight Cancelled," especially when you will have to make arrangements to either spend the night in the airport or try to find a hotel close by. I'm standing in this very, very, long line with everyone else to check the next available flight. The man in front of me is obviously tired, cranky, out of sorts, almost beside himself, and seething with anger when he steps up to speak to the customer service person at the desk. Like the consummate friendly (yet very tired) person I know she is, she is on the top of her game. He starts in with being loud, demanding, and very accusatory of how insensitive this airline is (like there was something they could do about the weather?). When she is slow to find the answers he's looking for, he starts in on her! Now his anger and attacks become personal. I'm thinking, "Are you kidding me? What does she have to do with this situation other than trying to help?" I wanted to walk up and slap him stupid, but I resisted. Meanwhile she is trying to smile, talking with kindness dripping from her every word, and making the best of it. The more he got angry, the more she was in control. Needless to say, I was more impressed with her and how she was responding than with this moron. Finally, believing he got exactly what he demanded, he stormed off. Now it was my turn.
I walked up and the first thing I said was, "I have got to say that was amazing! He was being such a jerk and you were in control, kind, and your attitude was amazing. I don't know how you were able to compose yourself but I want whatever you're selling." She just smiled and said, "thank-you, it was nothing". I said, "no, really it was amazing. How did you remain calm when he was being so rude?" She asked, "You don't know that man do you?" I said, "no thank God." Then she said, "Well lean in I want to share a secret with you if you promise not to tell anyone else." So I leaned in and she said, "He is on a re-routed flight to D.C. for his meeting in the morning. However his bags are on their way to San Francisco!" Needless to say I howled in laughter. Genius. Absolutely genius.
Sometimes when people get what they deserve they also miss opportunities for being thankful. Instead of being humble and filled with gratitude, they are bitter, resentful and expecting more. Some even become arrogant because they think they are justified in getting what they deserved and demanded. I confess lately I have spent too much of my time demanding what I think I deserve or expected and have missed out on the joy of just being content where I am in the present moment. And if the truth were known I have been given many more gifts I didn't really deserve.
Expecting something I think I deserve brings arrogance, pride and justification of my rights. Most of us should be thankful we haven't received all that we think we deserved and more for the gifts we get we didn't really deserve in the first place. I think it's called grace and mercy. Think about it....
rb
Posted on
Tue, March 23, 2010
by Ron Beasley
filed under