A Thoughtful Moment

A Thoughtful Moment--

Sitting at a table in the middle of a corridor in the airport.  Enjoying a lovely cup of coffee.  Thinking about being back in our home, and all the plans we have.

My thoughts turned from the projects awaiting to the people all around me.  Some were walking slowly.  No doubt they had a layover so there was no need to rush.  Others were hurrying.  Running even.  Planes wait for no one.  They knew that.  Food courts full of customers with wallets in hand ready to purchase food for the journey.   Interesting shops abuzz with lookers.  A few walked out with treasures wrapped in tissue paper.

All sizes and shapes.  The people, I mean.  Such diversity.  Pink hair, blue hair.  Brown and blonde hair.  Red hair from nature and bottles.  Boots, sandals, tennis shoes.   Very high heels worn by very young women.  Young women who had given considerable thought to how they would look that day.  Black lace-up boots.

Diversity in clothing styles, also.  Shorts, slack, long skirts, jeans.  All colors and designs worn together creating a look that shouted LOOK AT ME.  And I did.  Loved it that people felt free to be themselves.  To wear clothing that, on a canvas, would be an abstract painting.  Swirls, stripes, checks all in bright colors.  These belonged mostly to the young.  Those who had not felt the pull to fall in line with the black slacks and jacket.  There is nothing wrong with dressing in a conservative manner.  The majority of people do.  However, it is so refreshing to see those who will take the risk of being different.  Maybe it isn't a risk to them.  I love it.

Everyone I observed was either heading away or returning.  Many languages were spoken.  All together in this one spot.  One moment in time.  Walking side-by-side.  Smiling.  Offering a helping hand.  Moving to allow those in a hurry to pass.  At peace with one another.  Never to be together in this one spot again.  Yes, a moment in time.

As I looked over this sea of humanity, I was struck once again with the knowledge that we are all one small speck of dust.  No matter how important we believe we are, we are all the same.  Made from dust.  We cannot escape that fact.  We are put together the exact same way.  Yet,  these specks of dust have the power to change the world.  Isn't that an amazing truth?  People have the power to change this world into something so much more magnificent.  It seems we tend to forget that we are much more alike than different.  How wonderful if we could celebrate our likeness.  For peace to reign on this planet, we have to get to that place.

On this ball revolving through space, we all move about.  Probably never thinking about how marvelous it all is.  This beautiful place we call home.  This planet that provides us with exactly what we need to live and thrive.  Just outside our ceiling is a world that would take our lives in an instant.  Just outside.  Yet, we are safe here.  We are protected here.  We should take a few minutes to be grateful and thankful that we are in such a lovely place in this vast universe.

And then my mind reminds me that each person sharing space with me in this airport is a precious person.  Precious to those who await their return.  Ready to welcome them home.  Each belonging to a familly.  Each with a purpose for life.  Each acting on what they believe is their purpose.  Peaceful and loving.  Families pushing babies.  Babies held tightly against a mother's chest sleeping soundly.  The promise of a future within that sleeping babe.  Strollers full of little people, bags, purses, food, computers, toys and so much more move among the crowds.  Yes, it is a time to be thankful for the precious gift of life.

Inside the minds and hearts of all these people are solutions for hunger, poverty, inequality, war.  Someone walking the corridors of this airport has an idea for one or more of these challenges.   That person only needs to meet another person with the same shared passion.  Great ideas waiting to give birth are all around.  Which one?  Who has the desire to be the change that must happen?  Him?  Her?  Them?

Glancing at my watch I see that it is almost time to board the plane.  One last glance before I put the empty cup in the recycle bin.  Happily we make our way to our silver bullet that will slice through time and space and eventually deliver us safely to our destination.  Feeling the wonder of it all.

Much can be learned at an airport.