I thought to myself while looking around the cabin that we were all flying the same direction. This of course was true in the literal sense. In a more abstract but general sense I think that most peoples lives are in fact flying in the same direction. One person is following another. As I watched the older woman in front of me eat I grew frustrated in the way she held her single remaining bite of poppy seed miffing just inches from her mouth for a long period of time. It is there now. It is there when I look back moments later. She talks to her husband about something related to their trip. When she, seemingly, has nothing further to do but to take a bite it waits patiently in front of her mouth. And then it's gone.
My first thought was that I am very different from this poppy seed eating woman. But on second thought, perhaps not. At Starbucks you will not be surprised to find me order the same drink fifteen times in a row. "I'd like a Venti Chi Tea Latte, non-fat milk sugar free vinalla sweetener please", that's what I always say. My Gold Rewards card is evidence of that. I sit with my drink, holding it like a soldier may hold their rifle, sipping it to the last drop. I savor it like that woman savored her poppy seed muffin.
While thinking about all the similarities that people have I continue to return to the thought of differences. I know I have met numerous people who are
outliers from the norm. They see and react to their environment in a different and commendable way. One person I think of as an example of this out-of-the-box behavior is Mike Yankoski
. He is an alumni from my alma mater, Westmont College. He made the decision to take a year off from attending classes and live across America homeless. My first thought is that "I wouldn't do that". An I won't attitude will certainly stifle personal growth. So I challenged myself to ask a different question. Could I do that? When I let my mind explore if I could be homeless the answer is remarkably yes. Do I have plans to pre sue this further, no. I currently have other goals that would be impeded by taking on this task. The thought however is very empowering. As a result I have made plans to read Mike Yankoski's book entitled
Under the Overpass.
What I have taken away from this reflection is a complex idea. If a person postpones the word "no" and instead says "what if" then remarkable things are potentially available. The principal can be applied to your daily life. I had an experience in the past that was a result of "what if" thinking. My brother said he wanted to summit Mt Whitney that towers above the Majovie desert. Rather than say no I decided to look into the details. We went on some smaller hikes and planed our climb. As a team we accomplished this goal in 2009 and went home proud. Climbing a mountain may not be on everyone's to do list, it wasn't even really on mine. I came home with a patch and photos and the memory of climbing a mountain with my brother. All because I allowed myself to think "what if" and then apply myself to the task at hand to accomplish the goal.
What will make you stand out today?
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