Plane habits

I started this blog on an airplane a few months ago. I notice many things when I fly. I see peoples shoe’s, analyze the ease of taking them off at security or walking the miles of concourse to get to the proper gate. I observe families especially with little ones, some groups all carting their individual carry-ons with Princesses and Spiderman on wheels while other families are leashed together with those cute “animal backpacks on a string” things. One such mom and daughter seemed to have traveled all night and morning as the little one, connected to a leash backpack, still had on her lavender footie pjs and a bright pink blanket. I notice how many medium-sixed drinks a coffee shop sells in a 5 minute period, the crazy colors of suitcases in the overhead compartments, the strange identifying tags on checked luggage like a purple luffa, and the neon pink shoelaces in my seat partner’s sneakers. Little things catch my eye, and I somehow remember them.

I’m grateful for this renewable of sight and observation before I come back to tour. Over time, even the shortest length of a week, I can forget to notice the small yet significant things. The promise to listen to a made-up story on the bus or missed opportunity to compliment to a child for being extra responsible. On the plane I began Wooden on Leadership written by the former UCLA basketball coach. The book lays out his philosophy and techniques for leaders to create great teams. It’s simple though I think the other 291 pages will be worth reading. He taught good habits. And in teaching good habits, he also performed them with consistency and integrity which led to great success. It’s a lesson worth trying. Observation provides material for great stories, but more importantly, it creates an opportunity to relate to another person by connecting with his/her world. To live life alongside another, congratulating, critiquing, or plain enjoying it in all it’s small bright pink idiosyncrasies. Let me make this my habit.