Dooley Noted: 2/17/2015
Sunday, I had a fascinating flying experience that reminded me about the boundaries of truth.
Toronto was literally the coldest place on Earth that day.
Flights were being canceled.
Also, flights from the previous day were being rebooked onto Sunday, so the airport was full of disgruntled travelers.
When everyone around me is disgruntled, my body and mind automatically do the reverse.
As my flight was delayed, I tried to get on my boyfriend’s flight (which had been canceled from the previous day).
The agent said, “It’s booked.”
My boyfriend began texting me from the plane: “They’re de-icing a fuel nozzle. Try to get on. There’s about 10 empty seats.”
I walked up to the agent again, asking if I could get on that flight.
Agent: “No, it’s booked. Sorry.”
Dooley: “It’s actually not. My boyfriend is texting me from the plane.”
This was his opportunity to set his boundary for truth.
He chose to stretch it.
Agent: “I know. But they cut me off. They told me no more could board.”
You can really feel when people are stretching truth to your face.
I looked him straight in the eyes and smiled, choosing not to become disgruntled.
Dooley: “And you’re sure?”
The agent continued to stretch the boundary, speaking of weight limits.
He was attempting to convince me of his version of the truth.
I nodded and walked away.
About five minutes later, he waved me to him.
He changed my ticket and opened up the gate to let me board.
I’ll never know what made him change the boundaries of his truth.
I know my flight got canceled that night, and I would have been stuck – if not for his help.
He chose to help me.
Since that moment, I thought of the full day and night of patients I helped yesterday – because of his boundary change.
I thought of the incredible barbell session I had with a colleague yesterday – because of his boundary change.
I thought of the amazing NKT study group we conducted yesterday – because of his boundary change.
The agent had me thinking about my own boundaries of truth.
However the boundaries are set, I hope you do your best to help others with your truth.
As always, it’s your call.
– Dr. Kathy Dooley