The Halleluiah Flight
The Halleluiah Flight
“If we judge others, it is because we are judging something in ourselves of which we are unaware.” – John A. Sanford
I meant to write about this topic a few weeks ago, but I had other items to share with you first.
I was recently on a short flight from Houston to San Antonio, and when we landed, I heard a lady exclaim to another passenger the following …
“Wow! Yet another halleluiah flight!”
These two individuals were walking just in front of me, so I could hear their conversation clearly, and they spoke at a level that made it obvious they wanted others to hear.
“What do you mean by a halleluiah flight?”
She quickly responded, “Oh! That is a flight where people pre-board on a wheelchair, but miraculously, they are able to walk off on their own feet! Unbelievable!”
I think you probably get the point here … the lady was upset that so many people take advantage of the pre-boarding process to avoid the wait. In other words, they may falsely be using a medical condition to get on the airplane first.
The two passengers eventually went their separate ways, but this conversation is still on my mind today.
My Surgery
Over the past few years, I’ve had a nagging left knee ache that was diagnosed as osteoarthritis. When 18-years-old, my brother Joe and I were playing playground basketball, and on one of my Michael Jordan moves to the basket, I suffered a meniscus tear.
When I couple that injury from long ago with the 25 years of officiating collegiate basketball, the result is a bone-on-bone scenario.
The remedy … full knee replacement.
The surgery is right around the corner, and I’m a little nervous about the rehab. However, I’ve had enough friends who have undergone the procedure, and they are doing much better post-op.
Why it Matters
At my last visit, the surgeon’s admin assistant provided me with a 6-month prescription for a disability parking placard, which I took to the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to fulfill.
Yes … I now have one of those fancy handicap hanging tags!
Interestingly, I do not use it often unless my knee is acting up a bit. I am sure that it will come to good use after my surgery, given that mobility will be quite limited.
I share this with you because I am now on the other side. There was a time when I also wondered if the people boarding the flight early were indeed disabled.
They looked perfectly mobile to me!
Worry About Myself
This situation has reminded me that I often worry too much about what others are doing.
“Why are they boarding the plane first?”
“Why were they selected to be part of that group?”
“Why was he given the opportunity to be the leader when I have more experience.”
Interestingly, I know better than to focus on things that are beyond my control, but sometimes envy and jealousy get the best of me.
From what I can tell, life has a way of providing valuable learning opportunities for me, and my knee replacement surgery is serving this role.
The fact is that my slight limp is helping me appreciate people more, and it’s making me a kinder person.
My friends … my surgery is in November, and I ask you to keep me in your prayers.
Halleluiah!
Inspiring Quotes
“Everyone seems to have a clear idea of how other people should lead their lives, but none about his or her own.” – Paulo Coelho
“Judging others’ intentions is the right of God alone. We don’t have this right, and it is poor manners with God.” – Habib Ali al-Jifri
Homework Inquiry
During the next week, here’s your homework inquiry: How will you accept others?
I use this opportunity to share with you a unique story and a couple inspiring quotes. Oh ... as a professor at heart, you guessed it, I have a homework inquiry for you. This is a powerful question that might just trigger you to take action on something that really matters in your life. If you feel the Catalyst Newsletter brings benefit to you.