“Hi, how are you today?”
Those five words are not often heard or spoken on an airplane.
Certain common courtesies (on airplanes and elsewhere) have gone by the wayside, and have been replaced with silence and limited eye contact. What gives, everyone!?
To be totally transparent, I sometimes fall into this habit while traveling — I keep to myself, stay small, and try to get from point A to point B with as little effort as possible.
While traveling to Chicago to visit my sister this past weekend, I expected my flight to be like every other flight I have taken recently.
Naturally, my time up in the air was not what I expected.
I boarded the airplane in that cattle-herd way — shuffling around and trying not to smack people in the head with my gigantic purse as I dead lift my carry on into overhead storage. As I settled down in 11A and buckled in, I turned to my right and said “Hello” to my neighbor and asked those five little words not often heard.
Her name was Dorothy. She was wearing a fuscia Under Armor hooded sweatshirt and black stretchy pants. Her recently curled mousy-brown hair was highlighted by rose colored glasses (yes, seriously, rose colored). Her initial sweet shyness gently transitioned into a genuine conversation.
She started out by asking me what I do for a living.
“I am an actor and a writer,” I sheepishly answered.
She beamed, “Oh my goodness, that is so neat. You must love what you do.”
This was one of many encouraging reminders from my new friend, Dorothy.
We chatted back and forth about following dreams (she was a school teacher for ages), savoring precious relationships with family members (we were both traveling to Chicago to visit loved ones), extroversion and introversion (she swears I’m an extrovert), our love for John Muir, and how energy is contagious (she said, “I know I’m happy right now because I’m sitting next to you!”).
After more conversation about following dreams, she encouraged me to pick up the book, Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson. She explained to me that Steve Jobs continually pressed forward even if he experienced a set back. He knew that closed doors, hearing “no,” and stumbling blocks in his life were not him. And well, he pretty much ignored all of them. To Steve, they were simply experiences — nothing more. He did not allow those illusions to dictate his life.
Then she looked me in the eyes and said, “You just have to keep moving forward. I know you can do it.”
This is when I had an overwhelming feeling that she sat in 11B for me. This woman didn’t know much about who I really am. But she knew enough to have piercing wisdom that made contact with my heart.
The past few weeks have been really tough for me when it comes to my professional life. I feel lost, emotional, and unsure about the direction I am going. I have been crying every day out of anxiety and fear. But those short 75 minutes of my life that I got to sit next to Dorothy of Mason City, Iowa, truly lifted my spirits.
A stranger told me she believed in me. A stranger said I will accomplish my dreams. A stranger became an angel I could see and hear.
Next time you are up in the air, know that just maybe, the person sitting next to you could have the ability to ground you and bring you back to your true reality.
All you have to do is just say “Hi.”
I adore this! An angel on earth {err…an airplane} to lift you up! And good for you sensing you needed to reach out and say the first “hello!”
Thanks Liv! It was such an awesome flight – I wish I could connect with Dorothy again 🙂 It’s always that first step! Thanks for reading!
Love those moments that make our hearts almost burst with joy, not only for ourselves but for the good that is still inside people. A reminder to hold on to those encounters to keep us going and GROWING.
I so agree. It’s wonderful to find joy in others, especially ones you don’t expect! Love this. Thanks, dear Brianna 🙂
I love this from the bottom of my heart for so many reasons – you were inspired…you are inspiring, I am inspired – all from you and Dorothy!!
Love you!
Love YOU, and dear Dorothy 🙂 xoxo
ॐ
Namaste 🙂
How lucky you were to find such an inspiration! Yeah, I am guilty of keeping to myself and not opening up to others. Look what I’m missing out on, I could have met my Dorothy!
Thank you Sue! I am definitely going to reach out more often now 🙂 I tried it on my way back from Chicago, but the fellow sitting next to me wouldn’t have it 😉 Have a great day!
What a truly wonderful experience. May you encounter Dorothys in all your journeys xx
Thanks Lorinda! And of course, same to you 😉 Have a great day, friend!
Love your recap of this experience and… A perfect demonstration of how we are all connected, of course if we are in the mood to show up and tune in! Somehow I bet you were more energized by this conversation than you would have been after a nap! Patti Digh has a great story about a random encounter on an airplane in her book, Life is a Verb. I think of her story often and now I will add your story to my list of evidence that these random encounters do matter.
Hi Debbie! Thanks for reading 🙂 It’s so true that if we would only open up a bit more, miracles are all around us (even in the smallest forms). I will definitely check out Patti’s book – sounds awesome! Thank you for being here – enjoy your day!
I believe nothing that happens by coincidence. Sometimes we need an angel and sometimes we are someone’s angel. Its so inspiring to hear these stories of the universe (or God or whomever you believe in) helping us find our way! I’m so inspired by your blog!
Me too. We are being guided, even if we don’t always feel it! Thank you for your wonderful words, Karen!