December 21, 2008
For the next two weeks, my luggage and laptop tote are taking a break. As much as I enjoy travel, both for work 
and for fun, I especially love being home. It’s all the more special because I haven’t seen a two-week period at home in a very long time . . . it’s been more than two years. I’m looking forward to sleeping in, cooking healthy meals (ok, maybe they all won't be healthy!), enjoying great wine, walking our dog and spending lots of time with my husband and our family.
I hope you have wonderful days with your family and friends over the holidays and that your luggage also gets a rest from all work-related travel. The time will come soon enough in January when we start collecting a new year’s worth of air miles and hotel points all over again.
Happy Holidays to all! Let us know what travel-related gifts you receive under the tree!
Posted by Carol Margolis under General |
December 5, 2008
On the flight home last night, a pilot sat in my adjoining seat. While I wanted to take advantage of this and ask him for all of his ‘cockpit secrets,’ I waited until just about the end of the flight before I asked him this solitary question:
“What one thing would you like to say to
our frequent travelers that would help them
enjoy their journeys more?”
His answer was immediate. He said his most valuable words of wisdom are “Patience is a Virtue.” He said that when there are flight delays, cancellations, etc., it is not the fault of the crew. The crew is doing everything they can to depart and arrive on schedule. They also want to get to their destination, whether it be home or their hotel, just as much as we do. Getting angry or upset with the crew only makes the journey worse for everyone. He also said that the rush to get on and off the plane also causes the stress level of everyone to go up, and no one is going to be getting off the plane before the jetway gets opened anyway!
I agree with him completely. In the past couple of years, I’ve taken on the attitude of patience and gratitude, and I’ve found my journeys to be more enjoyable than ever, and also virtually stress-free! I always have an iPod full of music and audiobooks to listen to, as well as a book to read and work to do, and an energy bar in case I’m hungry, so I have been able to successfully get through any flight delays with ease. I’ve always made it to where I’m going, albeit every once in awhile a few hours late, or a day late . . . but I’ve always gotten to my destination. I am so much more relaxed about traveling, and never allow myself to get in the complaining mode with fellow-travelers. Even better, my stomach isn’t all tensed up and a major stress-line across my forehead is virtually gone (a bonus health and beauty tip unknowingly slipped into the conversation!)
On your next journey, heed this pilot’s words of wisdom. Let us know what positive differences you experience in your travels. I’m sure you’ll help improve the day of the flight crew as well!
Enjoy your journey!
Posted by Carol Margolis under General |
December 2, 2008
The Thanksgiving long weekend holiday is over in the U.S. It was back to the airport on Monday morning to begin a new week. I observed something quite revealing while I was enroute this week. Actually, I’ve been observing it a lot over the past many months but I think it was more glaring this week since many of us just came off a long four days of family and relaxation (and hopefully very little email monitoring).
Watch people who are sitting at the gate waiting on a plane, sitting next to you on the plane before the boarding door closes, or riding on a bus to their rental car center. They’re glued to their cell phones and PDA’s, reading and responding to emails, eyes furrowed, deep in concentration, studying some seemingly all-important missive. I wonder if they even know what city they’re in, or what’s going on around them? Are you one of these people? You may have not realized how absorbed so many people are in their devices since you never look up from yours! (If you’re reading this entry from your PDA, you’re perfectly ok to continue doing so J) Otherwise, look up and notice what’s going on, say hello to the person sitting next to you, enjoy the outside scenery, take a deep breath and reflect on what your travel experience is offering you on this particular journey. Relax your face and eyes, smile and erase that laser-focus robot look for a few minutes. The emails will wait a bit longer. The experiences and the people you’ll have an opportunity to enjoy and meet will not.
Posted by Carol Margolis under Random Thoughts |
