“Most people are about as happy as they make up their mind to be.” ~Abraham Lincoln
Due to the recent severe weather, many flights across the country had to be canceled. As a result, I want to share with you a story that actually happened.
An airline agent was re-booking a long line of inconvenienced travelers at a New York airport. Suddenly, an angry passenger pushed his way to the desk. He slapped his ticket on the counter and said, “I HAVE to be on this flight and it has to be FIRST CLASS.”
The agent calmly replied, “I’m sorry, sir. I’ll be happy to help you, but I’ve got to help these folks first who were in front of you, and then I’m sure we’ll be able to work something out.”
The passenger then became even more irate and loudly asked, “DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHO I AM?”
Without hesitating, the agent smiled and grabbed her public address microphone, and said, “May I have your attention, please,” (her voice heard clearly throughout the terminal.) “We have a passenger here at Gate 14 WHO DOES NOT KNOW WHO HE IS. If anyone can help him with his identity, please come to Gate 14”.
With the folks behind him in line laughing hysterically, the man glared at the airline agent, gritted his teeth, and said, “F*** You!”
Without flinching, she smiled and said, “I’m sorry sir, you’ll have to get in line for that, too.”
This airline gate agent deserves an award for how she handled a passenger who probably deserved to fly as cargo.
Life is packed full of uncontrollable events, and in many situations, the only thing we can control is the attitude we choose to respond with.
Life isn’t about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain…
Make kindness a habit.
To Your Success,
Peak Performance Coach