I’m stuck in La Guardia waiting for a flight that I know won’t happen, at least not tonight. Mother Nature is on a rampage along the entire Eastern seaboard and doesn’t show signs of getting over her snit anytime soon. I can relate – I’ve been there.
No planes are landing, none are taking off. I’m meeting menopausal women right and left, since most of us in the airport for the past six hours have become friends and family to one another. Literally the only two people I see showing signs of temper are in their twenties, demanding to get a flight out. We smile wearily and send silent sympathy to the gate agents.
After this many years, we goddesses have learned to take the serenity prayer to heart. "God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference." I head back to New York City after 7 hours to a high thread count sheets and fluffy pillows, having had the serenity to accept the weather and the courage to step up and change my flight to 2 days later. (My wisdom also had the foresight to see that the next day in the airports would be a zoo and my commitments would just have to be rescheduled.) A big hello to all the menopausal goddesses and their spouses who were my airport mates – I hope all your travels are smooth from here on out. And if not? No matter. I know you all have the serenity to go with the flow.
I too have learned to accept the serenity that surprises deliver. On my journey, I have noticed that interruptions once deemed annoying have become exciting. My brain now welcomes these swift change acts, and is energized when challenged to let go and seize the new opportunity. Let your garden of life bloom, but don't tell it what to grow! Smell the thorns and the roses. After all, it takes both rain and sun to make things bloom, including our souls.
Remember those "weird old women" that you used to see in the grocery store or standing on the corner of a busy intersection? They always had those quirky smiles and far-away eyes. NOW I get it! They had just been granted some serenity. Lately, I have noticed people looking at me like I was one of those "weird old women." I'm accepting, I'm accepting.