Lessons from a Delayed Flight

On the way back from Central America yesterday my flight had a layover in Houston. One hour gave way to two, then three, and by the time we took off the flight had been delayed nearly six hours.

But a remarkable thing took shape as I looked around the terminal. I didn't see a single person complain. Yes, people were understandably frustrated, tired, and wanted to know what was going on but everyone maintained a sense of poise. And at the root of their poise was an understanding there was simply nothing they could do about the situation.

Instead, I saw passengers use the time productively by catching up on work, reading, writing, and enjoying the company of family and friends. There were a handful of strangers who even bonded over the minor setback. 

Sitting at gate C43 turned out to be an unexpected master class.

6 Months

Last night I spoke with an actor friend who said, "It's finally starting to feel okay living in Los Angeles." She'd lived in Tinsel Town for about 6 months. Over the years I'd heard people say the same thing about New York, Houston, or really any place when I sat and thought about it.

There's something about allowing yourself time to stumble through a new community. Everything from getting familiar with the local highways to carving out your own circle of friends can seem overwhelming at first. I remember moving to Los Angeles a few years back and spending a considerable amount of time scolding my GPS system for leading me astray in the maze of highways that make up Southern California. 

In time, I got my footing the same way I did in New York and any other place I've lived for an extended period of time. If you're in a new town and starting to feel a little isolated or lost, make sure to give yourself some time. As long as you keep putting yourself out there and making the most of each opportunity you'll be sure to turn a corner. 

Airplane Mode

The other day I hopped on a flight to visit a friend in Houston. I rarely bring my laptop on board, or anything other than a book for that matter. Traveling light has sort of become my signature.

But this day was a bit different. I had a few deadlines coming up and knew I'd be busy once I touched down in Texas, so I decided to take my computer with me.

I was amazed at how much I was able to get done. The plane was quiet and there were virtually no interruptions. I was almost disheartened when a flight attendant announced we'd be arriving soon.

I thought of all the times I worked on scripts, or various writing projects in noisy coffee shops in New York as fire trucks and honking cabs barreled down 7th Avenue. I'd almost become unaffected by the reliable commotion, but now wondered how deep the quality of the work was and might have been if I'd find another spot - a place where one could work in "airplane mode."