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Recently, I got stuck at LaGuardia airport in New York due to weather that grounded many flights. The timing of my arrival into LaGuardia and my next flight out put me in a bit of a pickle so I spent the night in the airport terminal. At 11:00 pm the terminals close and all overnighters must sit in a small food court until the airport reopens in six hours.
Being stuck in an airport overnight creates a real-life lab for how people choose to spend down time. Some people laid their heads on a table to sleep, others listened to music, some read a book, a group of college travelers played games, a few worked on their laptops, some watched movies and others stared into space.
I first tried to catch a nap but I was clearly not as limber as others so that did not work for me. So, I decided to be productive. I listened to one of my favorite podcasts and read a bit. As the early morning hours crept up, I realized I needed to do something more active than reading to stay awake, at least more mentally active.
I shifted to writing a few posts for my Inc.com column and our firm’s newsletter, then rewarded myself with yummy chocolate croissant from the all-night Au Bon Pain. As if that was not reward enough, I decided to watch an episode of Grey’s Anatomy. This all got me to 3:00 am – only three hours to go for my flight back to Dallas.
Now what? Pray, sleep, eat, walk, read, listen to another podcast, write some more?
Well, I decided to stay on a roll and write this post.
When we are not in the throws of daily demands it is easier to realize that we are human beings and not human doings. We have great freedom to choose how to spend our time.
We each get the same amount of time each day and we never know when our time is up. Regardless of our role or status, time it is the great equalizer.
Time tests us, and ultimately, she wins. But we claim our victories day by day, hour by hour, minute by minute when we use our time to serve others, to lift others up, to create or deliver something that makes a difference, to find deeper purpose or to improve ourselves.
May you win the test of time this weekend and everyday as you choose to make a positive difference in the world.
Now, I still have 2 hours and 25 mins left. Time is really testing me tonight!
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