I will never forget the calm, resolute demonstration of an older gentleman at an airport.
I had flown into Denver, CO and was connecting to a flight to Colorado Springs. The flight to Denver was late which resulted in about 17 of us rushing through the airport to catch our connecting flight. It was funny to look around as I fast walked and started noticing others from my flight doing the same – some were jogging, some running and I realized we were all heading for the same gate. Whew – at least SOMEONE will get there first and hold the plane! I could slow my pace and relax a little.
We all breathlessly arrived at the gate and were relieved to see the plane still there although the door to the gateway was closed. Seventeen of us represented about half of the passengers on this connecting flight. We thought for sure we would be let on and were all just trying to catch our breath. Slowly but surely we realized this was not going to be the case. A uniformed soldier was angrily pounding on the glass window at our gate and yelling to a person on the plane who appeared to be the pilot. This scared me a little as an expression of anger can do! The military man was trying to get this person’s attention, which he did, but that person just turned his back to us. I was shocked. I had the thought that now – now that one of our soldiers in uniform was among us – we would be let on. Nope!
People started to gather at the customer service desk as instructed. It definitely felt like a let-down; an unexpected outcome. (I mean we were looking at the plane!) I paid attention as people were expressing their frustration, grumbling and demanding whatever they were demanding of the airline representatives. It’s funny how we can look to others for how we are supposed to respond or behave. One angry person unconsciously gives another permission to allow that aspect of themselves to be expressed. This wasn’t feeling great! I didn’t really know how to feel. Well, I felt discouraged, but I had to figure out how to get where I was going knowing that the person picking me up at the airport was already waiting. (This person happened to be Regina!)
At this point I noticed an older gentleman in the middle of our little crowd. Actually I had already noticed him because my attention kept being drawn back to him. He seemed to stand out from the crowd. I wondered why. He was dressed in a suit, held a briefcase in front of him and was a beacon of calm. That was it! He wasn’t saying a word. He is who I looked to for permission. Permission to be the change. Permission to relax. Permission to accept the situation for what it was. Permission to focus on the solution instead of the seeming problem. Permission to let that aspect in me be expressed – the aspect of quietude and trust that it would all work out. I remember feeling grateful. Grateful for another option. Sometimes it’s hard to be the first one to demonstrate another way, even though for him I think it was just his nature. It was easier to be the first follower that day. Following his demonstration which felt much more peaceful and helpful for us all.
It was about this time that a woman said she was renting a car and driving to Colorado Springs and invited people to join her. YES PLEASE! So off I went with this kind woman and the angry military man who also said yes. He was heading home to see his family. His brother and uncle had been killed in Afghanistan. He himself incurred a brain injury. He told us that the movie “Restrepo” was based on the platoon he was in from the 173rd Airborne Brigade. Wow. You never know what someone is going through.
I was able to contact the person waiting for me in Colorado Springs once I knew what was going on. She was another beautiful demonstration of remaining calm and accepting the situation. She used the extra time she now had on her hands to call her father whom she hadn’t spoken to in a while and enjoyed a nice long conversation with him. How wonderful! She didn’t make me feel like I inconvenienced her a bit in the least, and actually seemed grateful!
I am forever grateful for these indelible demonstrations and the silent invitation to entrain with peace no matter what is going on around me.
Although this article was written over 10 years ago, the message still feels helpful. But, I have a question now. What is it that is entraining? Hey, Bub, I don’t know! But whatever it is that is paying attention to a silent loving pull and allowing the pull to happen… yes. Just yes. Perhaps it’s just WHAT IS arising in a new moment AS peace.