I was stuck.
At an airport outside of the U.S.
I was there for my connecting flight, at the gate, checked in, boarding pass in hand, passport in hand, legs cramping from the first intense workout of 2018.
And people were still boarding the plane.
But they gave away my seat to someone on stand by. And I could see the stand by people from where I (and others) were letting the gate attendant have it.
One of the many excuses given by the airline was “not very many people can run that fast so we didn’t think you would make it so we gave away your seat”.
Oh yes, fury ensued.
All composure went out the window. Everything I write on this blog about putting myself (or yourself) in the other persons shoes: forgotten. Everything about the other person having something they want and figuring out a way to give them that in the process of getting what I want: not a chance.
I wanted mine. I was right. And they were 100% in the wrong.
And yet once again…being right and justified does not at all equate with getting what you want.
Being right doesn’t change someones mind.
I (and the people I was with) were hurling truths and facts at the attendants and were utterly flabbergasted that they didn’t convert to our way of seeing things.
We COULDN’T BELIEVE their lack of understanding!!!!
Could they not hear the truth we were speaking? The solutions we were offering? Did we need to yell even louder?
It took me a while to come down off of this one, but when I did…
I was reminded for me to win others have to win.
I was reminded you can’t always get what you want (which was to be home yesterday instead of today).
I was reminded that the change and transformation I seek and write about in this blog is a long process.
A process that can be and needs to be practiced with musicians, with record labels, with grocery store clerks, crazy neighbors, coaches …and yes, even those powerful and yet powerless airline gate attendants.
p.s. And eventually, I made it home.
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I’m always interested in your perspective, whether affirming or dissenting. Continue the conversation anytime: gabethebassplayer@gmail.com