THE DOMINO EFFECT

Today I got up at 4 in the morning -- to miss my flight and sit here in the airport for who knows how long? Apparently. Mmm, sleep sounds awfully good right about now.

Since my frustration level has begun to subside somewhat, and I've got a bit of time on my hands (possibly a good 9 hours unless I can get on as a standby -- oh joy), the contemplative mood is striking me.

After this morning's events it's got me thinking, how much do our own lives and life decisions effect those of others? Clearly when we make a point of having some type of impact on other people the effect is going to be greater, but what about when we're simply minding our own business and in some shape or form it has an effect on people that we wouldn't have imagined?

For example, Joe Schmo probably was thinking that when he called in sick today that the only people that it would make a difference to would be himself and his coworkers who would have to pick up his slack. I'm sure that he didn't realize that the weight of his absence would be intensified by the absence of the four other people who would call in sick. Or that as a result his coworkers would be very shorthanded and ill-prepared to handle the number of people who would be coming to the ticket counter. I'm sure it didn't cross his mind that due to being understaffed many people would end up missing their flights. Or that by missing their flights those people would then continue the domino effect by having to rearrange their plans, thus effecting the lives of even more people. The gentleman who was behind me in line was on his way to a business meeting, that was now needing to be rescheduled -- it's merely hypothetical, but what if by having to reschedule that meeting everyone involved will have more time to mull things over and may go in a different direction than they were going to go in had the first meeting taken place? Could a business deal in Chicago really fall through on account of Joe Schmo calling in sick to his job in Podunkville, WA? It's probably not the case, but in essence, it very well could be possible.

We may not realize it, but as individualized as our lives can be we are all still very much interconnected. Even the little things that we do, that we say, are capable of carrying more weight and reaching farther than it would seem. We really can effect the lives of others by making a simple, mundane decision in our own life. It's a little bit crazy, but highly fascinating. . .for me atleast. I think I may have just guilted myself into never calling in sick again. Wait, nope, scratch that -- but I will be more mindful of how my actions, my life, may factor in to someone else's life.

As for now though, I'm off to find all of the happening hangout spots in the airport -- I'm sure there's tons.

Get well soon Joe Schmo.

ONE STEP CLOSER TO BEING A DOMESTIC GODDESS

. . . one very tiny, itsy bitsy, step, but a step nonetheless.

 

Yum.

SWEET SIMPLICITY

Life moves fast. Sometimes the little things go by unnoticed in the midst of the hustle and bustle; but it's those very things that are often worth savoring. A moment sitting in the sun. Good conversation over a good meal, with good company. A first date. Laughing so hard your stomach hurts. Being reminded of why your friends are your friends in the first place. Going for a scenic drive. Sleeping in. Transitioning from the 'kids table' to the 'grown-up table' at family gatherings. Watching the sun set. Having movie night with the fam. They're all wonderful things. When things/moments like those come around, drink them in. Simple pleasures simply make life very pleasurable. To my weekend, I say, thanks for reminding me of that.

GIRLS JUST WANNA HAVE FUN

This past weekend I was in full-tilt 'Auntie mode.' It's always great when you get to have the perk of having fun with kids without having to be fully responsible for their upbringing (don't you worry though, I'm sure I will enjoy being fully responsible for the upbringing of little humans when the time comes).  I love it. But even more so, I sure do love the special girl that I got to play at the park with, have movie nights with (complete with making stove-popped popcorn -- that popped out at us when we'd sneak a peek under the lid), get in tickle fights with, and, among other things, do long division with? Yes, that too -- at her request! Smart cookie. She even was a trooper as we trekked all over town partaking in the Street Scramble put on by the YMCA. We managed to place 70th out of around 200 teams; she's a rock star (and was, of course, rewarded with ice cream afterwards)!

I'm pretty sure that I lucked out in the niece department. I can't wait to see how life unfolds for her as she continues to grow up and into her own person! But for now, I'm going to revel in the fun times with her in all of her ten-year-old glory.

P.S. I do realize that about 90.24% of my post titles are song lyrics/titles -- what can I say, I'm a bit of a music lover.