This week, I had the pleasure of attending an industry conference. I was able to see colleagues, some I had not seen in years. I
learned from many and was able to stay in tune with the industry.

On the final day, as I was listening to the final speaker, an alert on my phone popped up.

Your flight has been delayed 10 minutes. “No big deal. I will still have time to make my connection,” I said to myself.

Then another, “Your flight has been delayed 20 minutes.”

Then another, “Your flight has been delayed 25 minutes.”

Then the last, “Your flight has been delayed 30 minutes.”

I now needed to make a decision: risk missing the connection, or get a different flight home.

So, in an instant, I get online and make another flight out of Miami instead of the original flight from Fort Lauderdale. And this
new flight will now be direct.

The difference was that Fort Lauderdale airport was 15 minutes away, while Miami was 40 minutes away.

I made the decision, got the Uber, and headed out.

I arrived at the Miami airport with a little time to spare. I walked briskly through the cavernous halls of Miami International,
reminding myself that it is what it is – no need to get frustrated.

Even though my First Class original tickets were gone, and now I was riding in a middle seat in coach!

No, no, this would not change my attitude or my state of mind. I would be home a little earlier, and at least I would guarantee
that I would not miss my flight home.

I boarded the plane, found my seat, put my bag up, and prepared for the flight. I took my laptop out for a bit of work and
AirPods in hand.

My neighbor on the left arrived. She was smaller, so there was plenty of room.

Then, my neighbor on the right arrived. Not as small, but still no real issue. “I am getting home on time,” I said to myself.

Then… just then…a family of four sat behind me, including a screaming baby and toddler in tow.

Well, I have my AirPods, I thought – I’ll just put them in and not think twice about it.

After all, do not let these get to you. Focus on the positive.

We took off on time, all set to arrive a bit early. All was well…until the toddler decided to use the back of my seat as a soccer
ball. It was relentless beating on the back of my seat.

“How can a 20-pound child be so strong?”I thought to myself. “This kid really has a future in ball sports with that leg!”

The parents, of course, did nothing. My neighbors and I kept looking over our shoulders, questioning whether something would
stop.

Nothing stopped!

I closed my eyes and again, focused on the positives. Remember, I am getting home early. I did not miss my flight.I will have
dinner with my family tonight.

ALL IS GOOD RIGHT?!

Yes…all is good.

In years past, I would have focused on the mess that all of this was, instead of the positives.

And there were so many positives.

I made my flight. The plane took off on time. I got home early. Got to have dinner with my family. The plane didn’t fall out of the
sky.

All was good.

All is good.

It’s all about perspective, a lesson I am still learning!

-J.D.