I had to catch a 5:31 a.m. plane last Thursday for a business meeting in Boston. I arrived at the airport in what had always been plenty of time only to find an unusually long line waiting to pass through security. As I patiently waited my turn, it became worrisome that I would miss my flight at the snail’s pace travelers were passing by the guards. I prayed to know I was going to make that flight, that the one Mind was on the scene coordinating the movement of every passenger efficiently and ably, and that I wouldn’t miss my plane. But it was not obvious how this demonstration was going to occur!
I wanted to ask an airline employee if I could jump to the front of the line, but there were no employees in sight and I didn’t want to lose my place in line. I do not like asking for special treatment anyway, so continued to wait. But, if something progressive didn’t happen soon, I was going to miss that plane!
As I glanced back and forth from my watch to the dozens of people standing in front of me, and probably looking a bit nervous, a very nice professional type man behind me said, “Go ask to cut in front of the line.” He offered no explanation, no extra words, and no justification. He was direct, to the point, and rather commanding, “Go ask to cut in front of the line.” That was it. It was the nudge, actually giant mental push, I needed to get over my timidity about asking someone for a special favor.
He volunteered to watch my bags while I walked to the front of the line. I thanked him and followed his directions, asking two ladies very politely if they would mind if I cut in front of them. I explained that my plane was about to take off. They laughed and smiled and replied, “Sure, go ahead. We’re in no hurry.”
I got my bags, went in front of them, quickly moved through security and made it to my plane with the cargo door closing a couple of minutes behind me.
I rejoiced in gratitude afterward for the dozens of people I cut in front of which not a one voiced disapproval or showed anger. It didn’t seem to matter. They all understood. Each was so polite, thoughtful and considerate, and I thanked God again and again to be amongst such nice people in that early morning hour.
People are nice. It’s helpful to know this truth!
I imagine most of us have had unpleasant experiences with neighbors not being kind, but overall, I expect most of you will agree, that people are by far and large kind, good hearted and want to be helpful. I certainly would have let anyone cut in front of me if the situation had been in reverse, and maybe that’s why it was so easy for me to cut in front of them, once I got up enough gumption to ask.
I also thanked God for the man behind me that told me to cut. He was like an angel messenger sent from God giving me the push I needed. I was obstinately holding my place in line figuring I deserved to be late like anyone else would for not getting to the airport in time.
But, when I thought about it spiritually, I decided that’s not the way God set things up.
God is a forgiving God. There’s always room for flexibility and accommodation when mistakes are made in the human realm. Love can find a way to meet everyone’s needs when adjustments are needed, and still have everyone come out happy whether they are the one who needs a favor or they are the one granting the request.
I believe people are nice because God made them nice. I was grateful to see that niceness in full blown expression this week.
Evan, This is a perfect example of what all of us have experienced as that “still small voice” that comes to us and then is demonstrated through others. This is proof of the one Mind working as our mind and the mind of the people around us. As I gain a deeper understanding of this the world takes on a whole new light and am finding that you are so right-people are nice because that is the only way God expresses us- we just have to trust this more in our daily life. Very cool.
That’s more often true, than not, actually! For example –
We have moved to a VERY small town with only two grocery stores. This is what generally happens there:
The person in front of me in line at the checkout counter looks at the stuff in my basket, compares it with hers, and even if the difference is small (say, if I’ve got two items and she has five) tells me to go ahead. If I smile and say “no, thanks, it’s okay” the other will absolutely insist!
Thinking about the one Mind, I guess I should not be amazed at this! And certainly, should do the same – in that and other types of situations, too.
To Bea,
I agree! I think if we all looked around more and noticed more, we’d see all kinds of nice things happening through other people. The more we look, the more we’ll see, and our world is transformed. Our everyday experience is filled with light when we take the simple act of noticing all the generous and positive things people do, and typically without any fanfare involved.
I was very glad to read your blog. I have countless times witness some ugly scenes at the airport when long slow lines really had people at their worst. I remember a time when a gentleman was in a similar situation. He was clearly very late for his flight, and trying to get ahead of the line. The crowd was like a mob, yelling for him to get to the end of the line and making him feel like some kind of felon. I actually felt frightened and terribly sorry for that gentleman, who went to the end of the line and probably missed his plane. So what was the difference between his experience and yours? It must have been thought. This rancid thought of unkindness and indignation just spread through the crowd from this one man’s outburst to get to the end of the line. There’s a lesson to be learned here! I admit I didn’t do my job as a Christian Scientist, and correct that thought instantly. Perhaps the circumstance would have changed. I pretty much “stood aghast at nothingness” and accept the un-likeness of man be the model before me. How important it is, then, to continually look for and look to that perfect man, which God made.
To anon above,
I believe the difference is, usually, the attitude we bring along with us.
I remember years ago I had to call an unhappy customer for a retail store I worked for. I had a very good conversation with him. I respected him, honored him, loved him, and he showed me respect back. But then later a different employee called the same customer, and had exactly the opposite reaction. He got scoured. I wondered why the difference? It must have something to do with clashes in thought…and when we don’t have anything in our own thought to clash with, it makes the way of Love a lot easier to surface in our surroundings for everyone’s benefit.