Taking Time to Connect; Making a Big World Small

 

Taking Time To Connect Is A Choice

One of life’s special and unexpected moments can occur after taking time to connect with someone and that connection results in a big world instantly becoming small.  That’s what happened to me recently.

A few months ago, on my return flight from Madison, Wisconsin I had an improbable event take place that left me scratching my head and wondering what were the odds? 

If you spend any time flying commercially you will quickly notice two distinct types of people aboard the flight.  The first kind, those taking the time to engage the person beside them.  The second kind, those that put great effort into avoiding interaction with the person beside them. 

I must confess, if you are the person who works extra hard at not having any conversation, I would be your worst nightmare on a flight.  Why, because I almost always try to engage the person sitting beside me (unless it is so obvious you want the world to leave you alone).  Why do I do this? It’s simple, I am fascinated by people and their stories. Hearing snapshots of their life with little nuggets of wisdom sprinkled into the mix.  

Occasionally, a conversation occurs where the only thing you can say afterward is, “what a small world”, or “what are the odds”.  

 

Making A Big World Small

Ready to head home, I took a seat by my Delta gate waiting for boarding to begin. Scanning the gate area, I noticed a gentleman that looked familiar to me at first glance.  However, not so much that it caused me to try and figure out if I knew him.

As I boarded the plane and went to my seat (1A), I slide by the person I noticed earlier.  He was sitting next to me (1B).  Trying to get myself situated (iPad in hand and my bag put away) he asked if I was heading home and was Atlanta my home? I quickly answered that I was heading home, however, I was just connecting in Atlanta.  He rapidly responded that he was connecting as well, he was heading home to Columbia, SC.  

I mentioned that my two kids were students at the University of South Carolina and he responded that he previously worked at the university.  In fact, he was the head athletic trainer at the university for many years.

Up to this point, our pleasantries were exchanged while trying to get situated, not really looking at each other as we spoke.  However, once he said he had been the trainer at UofSC, my head snapped to the right and I said “Rodwell”. It all clicked, it was Rod Walters.  Wow, I knew this guy looked familiar.

You see, Rod had been our head-trainer many years ago when I was in college.  For two hours we caught up, retold old stories and just had a great time.  More than once one of us said, “What are the odds we would be sitting beside each other” and “What a small world”.  

 

The Rewards of Connecting

It was fascinating to hear his successes (and there have been many) in life and some of the stories that accompanied the journey.

We had a great time, seemingly big odds were defied. In fact, a big world instantly became small!  

A trip down memory lane would have been missed if I or Rod had visibly signaled – Leave Me Alone, instead of taking the time to connect.

So, if you ever wonder how you make a big world small, life has taught me the easy answer to this question.  Be willing to engage the world and be open to someone engaging you.  You never know who or what is around the corner!