Sometimes, it's just so damn easy...so easy to just be mad at the world, and take out any and all of your frustrations on the people around you.
This was me as I arrived at MSP Thursday evening. I had been awake since 4:45am. I had done my performing monkey thing for several hours (and day two is always more stressful because people who have no idea how to use computers are trying to learn how to use one...and I'm the one that has to teach them). Then I got to spend 2+ hours driving back to the airport. So by the time I got there, I was nearly brain dead. And I started to worry...because this is only week 2 of 9 of travel insanity.
So I drop off my rental car, and as usual, the Enterprise guy was a pleasure. And I head off to find the terminal. I get on the tram to go to Terminal 1, and when I got off, I thought for sure I was in the wrong place. So I get back on the tram and head to Terminal 2. Only to get there and find out I was really in the right place all along. So I get BACK on the tram to Terminal 1.
All the time, I'm carrying my 25 pound backpack on my back.
I have to say, for as lovely as MSP is to layover in, and also, for as lovely an experience it is to fly into (my bag was WAITING FOR ME when I got to baggage claim), it is an absolute nightmare to fly out of. There are a million people. And the line for security is ridiculous. And it's huge.
So I get in line to get through security, after just being reminded by the lovely woman who took my suitcase that I never spend any time at home this time of year (she WAS trying to be nice). And I'm waiting, waiting, waiting in line. And my back hurts because I've already lugged my backpack all over the universe (or so it would seem) and I'm tired, and I'm around a million people. And I'm still in dress clothes. So, naturally, I'm a little cranky.
As I was approaching the check in to get my ID and Boarding Pass cleared, I kept reminding myself that I am supposed to be a nice, pleasant passenger this month. Over the top nice and pleasant. And it's hard to do when you're cranky. But I still tried. I politely told the TSA agent thank you, and have a nice evening as he handed back my ID and Boarding Pass. So then I get to wait in line even more before I can get my body searched.
It's at this point my day starts to turn around, just a little bit. The TSA agent that was reminding everyone to take things out of their pockets was rather entertaining. But then, my purse gets pulled to be searched. And I had to wait, because someone else had to have their bag searched too. So finally, it's my turn. And the guy is actually very nice. He explains that everyone's bag who has something as simple as hand sanitizer (remember, I'm trying to ward off any illnesses this month) has to be searched. He sounds more annoyed by the situation than I do, so I take a liking to him. As he handed my purse back to me, I once again say "thank you, have a nice evening!" And I actually was cheery about it. Well, the look of utter shock, disbelief, horror...whatever you want to call it was totally worth the effort. I truly believe that he hadn't experienced anyone being so nice to him while searching a bag in a long time, if ever.
So then I head off to find my gate. And food. Food is a must. First, I wanted to find my gate, and figured surly, in MSP of all places, there would be decent food along the way. I just happened to be in the longest terminal imaginable...and the only food options were CIBO Express...which in some cases is great. But I needed a meal. Not a snack. 15 minutes later, I finally come to my gate, and it's at the very end...and it's crowded.
But there is a shining star here.
There is a passage to where I knew there was a food court. So I head that direction. And it's at this point I did something I never imagined I would ever do in an airport. I stood on one of the moving walkways and just let it take me. I never do this. I'm the person who walks along side the moving walkways, racing the people who are walking on the belt. And I nearly always beat them. It's one of my ways I try to keep active in airports. But I was so exhausted, I just couldn't do it.
So I find food. And I sit down. And realize that I forgot to pick up a napkin. Thinking that it would be ok to eat my Chinese food, with chopsticks, and no napkins would be ok because I could just wash up afterward was clearly misguided. But I was kinda stuck, because my behind was not about to move an inch for a little while. So I start eating, and almost immediately, my hands are a sticky mess. And I happened to notice that I was sitting between two, also alone, women. One of whom had already finished eating, but was just relaxing. And she had unused napkins all over her table. So I finally get up the nerve ask if I could have one. And you'll never guess what happened...
She, with the greatest care imaginable, picked up one napkin, and folded it. Then picked up another napkin, and folded it on top of the other. Then she politely presented them to me.
I almost started crying right there.
Maybe it was the fact that I was off my feet, and was no longer starving for food that helped. But this woman's kind, polite gesture of folding a napkin and giving it to me made my heart swell a couple of times. She could have just shoved them my way...but she didn't. And that really got to me.
Once I finally finished eating, and felt strong enough to move again (it was fortunate I ended up having extra time...because I kinda needed it) I decided to stroll through the book shop across from the food court. Not that I needed a book...but sometimes...I just like to look. And I struck up a conversation with one of the ladies working there about how many books we have, and what a pain it is to move them. By the way, if anyone complains about the quantity of books I own, should meet her. She said she owns over 7000 books. And she used to live in a 540 square foot apartment. Yeah...I'm not that bad.
Then it was back over to my gate. I had a chance to just sit. And read. A treat. And when I came out of the bathroom, as my flight was boarding...I asked a woman standing there was section they were loading. She wasn't sure. But we were both in Group 2. And we ended up chatting about a few random things. She's a 6th Grade Teacher, meeting her cousins for the weekend.
And then I get to my seat on the plane, and there is a guy sitting in my seat. I tell him he's in my seat, and he realizes he's supposed to be across the aisle. So he moves. Almost forgets his computer. I offer to break it for him, as he seemed rather displeased with how well it functioned. Or maybe it was the fact that he, too, was on a business trip and had to use it. So then I get to sit down, and meet my seat mate.
A little old lady.
I love little old ladies. This one especially.
She used to be a Preschool teacher...so she and I had a lot to talk about. I also felt sorry for her. She was traveling by herself, and MSP had only been her layover airport...and she had been there since 9:30am. Our flight to STL was at 7:14pm. And once she found her gate, she didn't leave all day long. She was afraid she would miss something concerning her flight, and so she just sat there all day long. I think she really just needed someone to talk to. And she was a lovely lady. I enjoyed getting to chat with her.
But I guess...back to my original statement. It is so damn easy sometimes to just be mean, and cranky, or to not take the time to smile, or just be nice to the people around us. It's so easy to be mean, and sometimes, so hard to be nice. But you never know how your actions are going to affect another person. It can be as simple as saying a polite thank you, and actually meaning it. Or a kind gesture to a stranger. A conversation with the person next to you. Whatever it might be. Yes, it's easier to be cranky, and focus on your own world. But where does that get you?
I've found over the past couple of weeks that being nice to people isn't always easy. But for as much good as it does for the people around me, it's done a lot for me too. This is the time of year that I worry about my own mental state. And no fooling, it's insane. But those simple, kind acts. They're so worth it. And they make life...better.
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