We all know that hiccups are not rare occurrences in travel. So, once the delay was (easily) sorted and travel was rescheduled, I started making a Plan B for the day. It involved staying in bed a bit longer, having a relaxed breakfast, a lovely walk, and a visit to a museum. I had no need to rush, and was able to read my book over a leisurely coffee in a comfortable chair.
At the end of it all, I had a good day, and the travel still happened without any dire consequences.
Some of the other folks inconvenienced by the delay, however, were less pleased. And they were rather vocal about their displeasure – to anyone who would listen (or who was within 20 feet).
I obviously don't know their full stories, beyond what they were sharing publicly. No one expressed they were in emergency situations, just the legitimate inconvenience of an interruption.
I reflected on my choice from the delay. I’d had the choice to be grumpy, and stay grumpy – but that would benefit no one. I could have been miserable to the staff (who were not responsible for the delay) – and again, this would not help anyone’s mood.
Life happens – sometimes things go as we wish, sometimes they take us off course. Through it all, we have the choice of what we will do.
We can react, with an immediate result emerging before we’ve had time to think it through. This can often mean we react with strong emotions and little perspective; and it’s not always a constructive pathway.
Or we can respond, after we’ve taken a moment or two of calmness and consideration; when our focus is on the bigger picture and finding helpful solutions.
We never know what the outcome may be for the times our Plan As become Plan Bs; but we can choose how to face those changes; even finding joy in the unexpected. The effect of our choices may show a lot about ourselves and our values – to ourselves, and to the world around us.
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