Reflecting on the Good Times
I had arrived at the airport about 30 minutes before the required check in to
catch an early flight home. It had been a very busy three days for me on an
interstate trip with lots of meetings, business to do and new customers to meet.
So I was glad to have the extra time to make my notes on what I needed to action
when I got back to my office the following day. Equally, it is always a great
feeling when you complete your 'to do' list, as well as the sense of control
that comes from getting it out of your head and onto paper, or should I say into
the laptop.
Then came the announcement that I am sure all air travellers loath to hear - the
flight had been delayed indefinitely due to a technical problem with the plane.
As I sat in the departure lounge I could see a group of technicians and ground
staff rushing about, obviously endeavouring to fix the problem with the plane. I
watched and listened as many of the passengers sitting near me shared their
frustration about the inconvenience and why couldn't the airline just wheel out
another plane or put us on another flight. A steady stream of passengers lined
up at the departure desk only to receive the expected update from the customer
service attendants that they can do very little other than ask us all to be
patient and that as soon as they can get us away, they would call the flight.
The mobile phones were working over time throughout the departure lounge as
passengers left messages for business associates and loved ones to update them
on our predicament.
As I sat waiting for the announcement which would no doubt bring cheers from all
of my fellow travellers, I reflected on my last meeting for the day. It was not
a business meeting but rather a very enjoyable and all to brief lunch with an
old business associate and friend I had not seen for over 12 years, and who I
had worked with for nearly 15 years prior to us losing contact. I had been given
his contact phone number by a customer I had visited on the first day of my
trip, so I called him out of the blue and made a time for us to meet.
Our lunch was spent recalling times gone by and as well filling each other in on
what had happened in our lives over the last 12 years. Our conversation was
punctuated with statements such as 'remember when we did ….', 'whatever happened
to ….' And of course the one we all liked to hear …. 'you know you haven't
changed one bit, except for a few more grey hairs.' We both laughed and smiled
as we recalled the good times and the great experiences we had shared over the
15 years we had worked together. Each event we discussed triggered another
recollection and everything we talked about centred on the good times and only
served to energise each of us during the course of our lunch. Almost
simultaneously, right at the end of our time together, we both said how much we
both enjoyed it and that we must do it again. We agreed to catch up when I was
next in town, then said our goodbyes and I was off to the airport.
So as I sat waiting for the announcement that my flight was finally ready to
depart, it was great to have this additional time to revisit and replay in my
mind all that we had talked about. I realised at that moment just how important
it is to have regular reminders of the good times in your life and to be able to
take the time to reminisce, for so much of what we have done in our lives,
shapes us and makes us who we are today and beyond.
Sandwiched in between the busy time of my trip and the focus on getting business
done, I was fortunate enough to have had the chance to take a short break and
reflect on the good things that had happened in my life over 12 years ago. It
was somewhat like looking at an old photo album that you have found stored away
in a cupboard in your house, there before your eyes are lots of wonderful
memories in print that take you back to that time and place, and most
importantly to those people who are in the photos. It also made me realise when
you get caught up doing what has to be done in the moment, how easy it is to
forget the people you have met in your life who have made a positive impact on
and enriched you, often in only the smallest of ways.
My flight home was finally called nearly three hours later and yes as you would
have expected many of the passengers cheered when the announcement was made. I
smiled as I boarded the plane and realised that I was not at all upset about the
delay in the flight departure, as I had been able to spend much of my time
reflecting on the good times from days gone by and I eagerly look forward to
many more opportunities to reminisce.
Keith Ready
Keith Ready lives and in Sydney, Australia and is affectionately known as Mr
Inspiration. He is publisher of InspirEmail which provides inspirational
messages to refresh the spirit and boost the emotional bank account. You can
visit his website at
www.agiftofinspiration.com.au and he can be contacted via e-mail at
info@agiftofinspiration.com.au
Inspired by Vasil Delvizis, my business associate and good friend from times
gone by. © October 2006