Comments on: Airports, Speed Bumps & Uncle Carl

By: Earl

Earl — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 02:34:11 +0000

Nate – I like the idea of asking yourself “Am I awake?” – it’s like a speed bump we can throw down in front of us at any time, anywhere. The key is to get into the habit of asking this question on a regular basis. And this concept of course falls in line with your excellent post about sleepwalking through life!

By: Nate

Nate — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 21:56:14 +0000

Earl – Yup, airports are certainly funny places. I actually make it a habit to get their early so I don’t feel rushed. It helps out quite a bit.

I definitely agree with the slowing down. I find it very useful to make it a habit of asking myself ‘Am I awake?’ So, whenever you feel rushed or notice yourself overthinking, ask yourself this question to bring yourself back to the present moment. We can of course rush if need be, but we should do it mindfully.

By: T-roy

T-roy — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 04:59:36 +0000

If only Big Brother would connect the addresses with the video footage… but something tells me it wouldn’t make a difference to those people anyways. It’s human nature I think to always be at the front of the line, to be first. As Ricky Bobby said best “If you ain’t first… your last!’

As far as the rafting trip… You know how it is. It’s not the destination but the adventure of getting there that really makes the memories.
* I could fly ($$$ but fastest) but boring.
* I could take a boat cruise (2nd fastest and comfortable) but it’s a lazy trip and would be bored after 3 days.
* or I could build my own transportation, thus making my own schedule along the way. It would be slow as hell but it would force me to appreciate that and everything surrounding me. The only arguments are the ones in my head or I create. I’d be busy as hell having to fend for myself but at the same time free of any worries.

…sorry amigo, there I go again making a sales pitch! lol

By: Earl

Earl — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 03:27:24 +0000

Hey T-Roy – No wonder why you want to take a raft down the Amazon – to avoid flying to Brazil! You’re right with everything you described and its funny to think how we all seem to encounter those same people upon every landing. I wonder how people would react if we videotaped their behavior inside an airport and played it back to them once they arrived at home.

By: T-roy

T-roy — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 02:17:14 +0000

Maybe it’s just me but I avoid the airport like the plague! I hate to fly, I hate airplane food and I hate the uneasiness of waiting for my luggage to see if it arrived. I know this is bad coming from a lover of traveling but it’s the truth. I truly believe that for ever minute of my life spent in an airport or plane ends my life by 1 hour… then again I don’t plane on living past 60 anyways, so what’s it matter! lol

That being said though, it cracks me up when landing from a flight. Seeing the mother grabbing the child and dragging it out the door to be first. The husband and wife who fight their way into the aisle to be ahead of the mother and child (a football coach would be so proud of these pre-planned offensive moves). And who can forget the solo business guy who has the laptop bag only waving his weight around in the coach section like he should be in business class and has more important things then anyone else and should be first above women, children and couples. I always just wait till I can actually get out of my seat and take my time without killing another passenger.

Then when everyone is running to immigration to be first, fighting and pushing it seems like it’s all a waste because everyone is standing around the luggage carousel waiting for the luggage to arrive (because lets face it it takes forever for your bag to go from the plane to inside the airport). At most people save 5min of time and for me, even if I multiply that by 1 hour, it’s not worth it.

Trying to race through an airport is like trying to eat all the food at the all-you-can-eat-buffet… even if you do it, what was the point as you’ll just end up making yourself sick from it.

By: Jonny | thelifething.com

Jonny | thelifething.com — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 12:44:48 +0000

I ma thinking of speedbumps in my house, that should slow me down.

By: Earl

Earl — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 22:38:52 +0000

It is amazing how we all race through airports for no apparent reason whatsoever. It seems to be universal! And you’re right, it may be the only place that some of us actually ‘workout’…

By: Earl

Earl — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 22:37:17 +0000

Hey Raam! You are right, if we don’t break up every aspect of our lives, we’ll fly through the years only to arrive at the end without actually ‘living’ along the way. And considering how often happiness is now associated with how much and how quickly we can consume, slowing down every now and then has become even more important, even only to remain somewhat sane!

By: Elizabeth

Elizabeth — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 20:57:53 +0000

Great post!! I guess airports are a good place to burn some calories. Now that I think about it, in every airport I find myself racing with the rest of the people to get first to immigration and then to pick up my luggage (as if arriving first made a difference! hahaha) just as you described! LOL

But must confess I LOVE AIRPORTS! You get to see a bit of everything…

By: Raam Dev

Raam Dev — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 19:14:25 +0000

I absolutely agree that we need to slow down and appreciate life. We should design speed bumps for our own lives, either by creating routine time-outs, doing weekly reviews, meditating daily, or all the above!

The awesome imagery made this post fun a read! Thanks!