I overheard someone talking about Seattle this weekend.
It sparked a memory of the last time I was in there, about 2 years ago. It was a day I’d nearly forgotten about which included a lesson I needed to revisit.
I had presented a seminar in Seattle to a great unit there who impressed me with their preparation for change, their openness and knowledge.
Then a super-kind cab driver showed up right when I needed him to help me catch Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor’s speaking event in downtown Seattle that evening. (Thrilling presentation!) Then I headed to the airport, to take the 11pm ‘redeye’ flight home.
You could say it was a full day!
I arrived at the airport excited from the day and growing a bit weary from the time change and travel. I was in my ‘adult brain’, thinking about what the next day held as far as meetings, work and family.
As I waited for the train to take me to my terminal, I noticed a little 2-ish year old boy sitting in a stroller next to me. His mother looked weary too – that kind of weary that only mothers of 2 year olds understand.
I caught his eye and we smiled big smiles at each other. And then the game of peak-a-boo ensued.
When we boarded the train he saw me sit down and then told his mom he wanted to sit too. NOT in the stroller of course. On the REAL seat. So up he climbed into the seat. She told him to hang on because the train was about to start.
His whole body was geared up and ready – he couldn’t contain his anticipation and started overflowing with laughter. He said, "1, 2, 3, ready, set, GO!" and the train took off.
His big eyes looked over at me and we both laughed. His mom laughed too. He was contagious.
This was one of those little moments. Many times I wouldn’t have noticed it. I would’ve been too distracted to attend to him or the situation.
What he taught me is this:
Who cares if it’s10pm Pacific Time and we’re all up a little past our bedtime? Who cares if we have to take a train all the way to our terminal? And truly, in the moment, what can I do to change any of those things?
BESIDES…..
It’s FUN!
The to-do lists and the thoughts about tomorrow are going to be there whenever we want to pick them back up.
Fun happens when we make space for it. When we’re open to it. When we put aside our Google calendars, our email and our to-do lists and look right into the eyes of someone who lives in that space every chance he gets.
Thanks buddy.
