Reader, how do you feel when you walk into the airport, it isn't even 5 AM, and TSA looks like this?

It is college spring break, a major cruise ship is leaving Miami, and I am headed to Miami Beach for my favorite annual conference (the World Happiness Summit, aka WoHaSu).

My flight is sold out, and boarding begins at 5:41.

It is 4:45 a.m., and I'm joining a line that is so long I cannot even see the entrance to the TSA area.

I have all the WTF feelings:

🫨 mindboggled, I was actually earlier than normal

😭 despair that Starbucks pre-flight was not an option

😰 panic that I might miss my flight

😡 frustration that TSA wasn't open

🤬 angry that no one was thinking ahead to alter work hours to accommodate this foreseeable issue

There was a time when I would have stood in line fuming and getting more upset with each passing moment at the incompetence and inconvenience of this situation.

I would have spent my time worrying about missing my flight and trying to calculate options to get through the situation faster.

My stress would have kicked my happiness about joining my friends at WoHaSu to the curb.

Instead, as I stood in the line, I did these three things to restore my peace of mind and not allow this situation to steal my happiness:

1. I reminded myself of all the times I had been in this situation before, and things had worked out fine. I chose to trust that the airlines knew the TSA issues and would wait if needed. I gave my Hyper-Vigiliant protector permission to relax and trust the process.
2. I struck up a friendly conversation with the person next to me. We exchanged pleasantries and talked about the fun awaiting us on our travel plans. We acknowledged our concerns about the long line but didn't fall into the trap of complaining and catastrophizing.
3. I watched the people working for TSA process the passengers ahead of me. I thought about what I could say that would make their day brighter. I set an intention to make sure that they felt seen and valued for their work and then used my words and non-verbal body language to communicate my positive message when it was my turn.

It took 50 minutes to clear TSA.

I had to skip the $5 coffee at Starbucks, but the air current was calm for my flight, and I got two cups of coffee during my flight, plus those yummy biscoff cookies.

Reader, here's why I am sharing this story.

I want you to see this simple example of how you can let circumstances (or other people) set the tone for your day, OR you can be intentional and choose it yourself.

In the past, I felt completely justified for feeling 🫨😭😰😡🤬.

Last week, I felt exactly the same.

The only difference was not allowing those feelings to define the experience.

Instead of staying on autopilot and sitting in the negativity, I took the controls and talked myself down from "red alert" to green.

I've been working toward this for many years. I know it doesn't happen overnight.

But ask yourself this Reader: "What if I started today?"

Don't let perfection be the enemy of progress.

The sooner you start, the sooner you will arrive.

And if you need a little help, I have the perfect tool for you. Ask me how you can start.

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Join me this week for these live episodes

Episode 15 live stream available through LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube​

Episode 9 (rescheduled) live stream available through LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube​

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The Story I’m Telling Myself is for anyone who wants to overcome the limitations of self-doubt and live a life of purpose and fulfillment.

Through candid conversations, you'll discover:

• The hidden costs of listening to your inner critic: How fear and doubt sabotage your confidence, happiness, and success.
• Transformational strategies for silencing the negative voice: Learn how to overcome self-doubt, embrace vulnerability, and step into your true potential.
• The power of a mindset shift: Discover how changing your internal dialogue can lead to extraordinary results.

Real-life stories of courage and resilience: Gain inspiration from everyday people who overcame their negative self-talk to live a life of purpose and fulfillment.

PS - please share this with a friend

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