Airports

Airports are an interesting thing. What once used to be such a happy place filled with laughter, screams of excitement and a sense of adventure has tuned into a dull, serious and very rigid activity. One of my favorite movies is Love Actually. I am fascinated by their view on love and the ability to find it almost anywhere. One of those places, if you remember, was the arrivals gate at the airport. I do remember past happy times at the arrival gate. But now, there is no greeting. There is no sound of laughing and joyful screams as I get off the plane – signifying that I am home. I have to walk through the airport, wait for a grab my luggage, and then walk to the curb. When I get out there whoever has come to pick me up cannot even get out of the car because they will get a ticket if they sit on the curb too long. They pop the trunk and I throw my junk in. Then I get into the car, get a quick squeeze around the shoulder “welcome home” and that’s it. All that time away, all that flying, and the climax is so uneventful.
I am not saying anything can or will (or even should) change, I understand the importance of heightened security – I’m just saying it has been sad to watch the change. Coming home isn’t what it used to be.

Kids

Children are God’s finest creation, I believe. When we grow up I don’t quite understand what happens. We loose the wonder, the adventure and the innocence you see in so many children. Sure, children can a lot of times be little runts that drive you crazy and seem to never listen to a word you say – but have you ever been with a child in a new situation. What we take for granted and see as mundane, a child sees as a chance to explore and sit in wonder.
I have been flying a lot lately and have been able to see many children in situations new for them. Two children still in the ticketing counter area discovered an escalator for the first time. Nothing new, still the same steps moving as always, but these children saw the wonder. They were FILLED with questions. As the first little boy approached you could see the wheels turning in his head. He wanted to go down them and explore them with a closer view – but his mom would not let him. And so he stood obediently at the side just starring at the moving contraption.
His sister joins him, she’s a couple years older, and she begins to ask questions. Where does it go? What is it for? What does that big red button on the side do? Grandma was patient in answering all her questions.
Then it was fun to see them stand before it – wishing to go down and take a ride – but falling into obedience of their mother. Older sister would periodically put her hand out to be sure her brother did not cross the line and get into danger.
I guess escalators just aren’t that exciting to me – but it is always a gift to be able to see them with fresh eyes. MOVING STAIRS…seriously, that’s a strange thing. But I allow the mundane of life to sweep over me. I want to see the adventure.

What is Leadership?

Leadership is easily stomped upon. Unless you are strong enough to take initiative and push someone else out of the way, you won't ever lead or get a voice. Leadership is about walking the line. When to lead - when to follow. When can I speak up to authority and when do I simply need to keep quiet and submit? Leadership is about being frustrated and not alwyas agreeing - but laying your own ideas aside. How do you step up and take leadership when one seems to have a tight grasp on it? There is a difference between what you say and how you act. Many leaders say: "Come, lead with me, do as you want" but then they seem to have such a monoply on it. They get so defensive and frustrated. They SAY they are not mad but then everything they do screams that. Leaders need to make sure their actions and words line up - otherwise confusion and frustration results. Leaders are often wrong and they need to own up to that rather than getting defensive and making excuses.