This is not LAX

Living out of a suitcase has its ups and downs. One of the things I can count on as an "up" is being able to hear people say the craziest things. Airports and airplanes and car rental shuttle busses press you closer to other people than is comfortable sometimes so you might as well take advantage of the tight quarters and entertain yourself somehow. 

Today, it was the shuttle bus driver who provided the entertainment.  As usual, people were pushing and shoving their way on to the bus as I stood back.  With two big suitcases that tend to be heavy, I usually stay out of everyone's way and get on last. I figure it's good karma as well as good manners. 

Sure enough, everyone at the Ontario airport rushed in front of me as I stood back. By the time I got to the door of the shuttle, the driver turned to me and said "not sure what the rush is, this is not LAX!"

Indeed, it's not LAX. 

The woman who checked my bags for my Alaska flight told me with a smile "see you upstairs, I'll be boarding the flight too!"

This is a small, almost sleepy little airport. What's the rush?

In life, I think we act like we are always at LAX - rushing through things, panicking that we are not moving fast enough, not getting far enough.

What if we just took a breath and slowed down for once?

This is not LAX.

I wonder how much more we could get out of life if we slowed down more often. If we took our time. If we did not worry about being the first on the shuttle bus.

As I exited the bus, I thanked the shuttle driver and said "thanks for reminding me that this is not LAX. It's a good life lesson."

He said - "yea, it is. If you have time, you could just stay on the shuttle and take another loop with me. It's a great route."

"You're right. Such a pretty view. I'll enjoy it more next time instead of staring at my phone!"

He giggled and then he picked up my bags, put them on the curb and said -- "Where are you headed with all this stuff? Hawaii?"

"Not quite. Seattle."

He smiled and said "have fun and send me a postcard!" 

In the words of Ferris Bueller -- life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.