Tuesday, February 2, 2010

El Vuelo a Mexico


Currently I am onboard an overly crowded Delta flight to Mexico City. On my left I have my dad, Tony Puente, who is sleeping like a baby who just drank an entire bottle of milk. On my right is a random stranger who is using my shoulder as a pillow. I bet that at this very moment you are probably wondering if I am going to tap him or wiggle my shoulder to wake him. For some reason I am choosing to do neither, but rather let this random stranger rest peacefully. Maybe that’s strange and if fact it is a little weird to me too, but selflessness goes unforeseeable distances. Either way you look at it, he will wake up sooner than later and it’s not that bothersome. On a different note it is incredible how far technology in our lifetime, from smart phones, to onboard wifi technology has become ubiquitous in our society. Unfortunately sometimes technology crashes. For example, my and several others’ TVs are not working. I believe that it is human nature to forget life pre-technology; as many of the customers around are complaining that it is unacceptable that there TV is not working and demanding for it to fixed. I abhor such self-centered thinking. Even more intriguing is that all of these individuals are all middle-aged adults. Why is it that once something such as on-board TVs or smart phones becomes prevalent that we automatically assume that they should always work (eg., My iphone is so terrible!) and anything less is unacceptable. Taking a big step back, and evaluating the foolishness of these statements/beliefs is often beneficial. All right enough with my soap box, but if I am describing you, maybe you try and remember when never had cell phones or personalized TVs on planes. If that is not easy then maybe you could consider how life is from a different lens. For example, think about how your life would be if you lived in Port tu prince. Maybe evaluating your life from another’s eyes will strike insight into remembering how privileged we are as citizens of free and prosperous country. Perspective can be a humbling experience and I invite you and I to entertain this point of view to improve your and others lives. By the way if you’re wondering my neighbor has awoke and currently has an embarrassed look on his face, presumably because he just realized he was sleeping peacefully on a random stranger (me). I am not suggesting that we Americans are selfish, but instead that often we lose perspective on what is important and necessary for a fruitful and enjoyable life. And by the way I just got free onboard wifi!!!

3 comments:

  1. Hey Nick ~

    I really like your blog post. I wish people would take a step back more often to realize how fortunate they are. It's so easy to complain and I know I am guilty of it, but we really are so fortunate. Your blog post is a good reminder!

    Have a great trip to Mexico and tell your dad I say hola.

    ~Jill

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  2. Nick,

    I love this!!! Reminded me how blessed we truly are! I hope you are having a great trip and enjoying time with your dad!

    Have a safe trip back!

    Britt

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  3. Krista and Zom say hi, we like your blog!

    Have fun in the snow in Georgia. Don't forget to call about the washers and dryer hookups-from Zom.
    Love you and Lucas Mucho,

    Iz and Zom

    ReplyDelete