Before the news broke about the Southwest Airlines company wide systemic meltdown there was chaos, confusion, stranded passengers, crews and airplanes without any information or direction or plan.
I was one of those unfortunate souls, to make matters worse I was in my layover city when it all went down. I was fully in the "in-between". I'd left where I was and not yet where I wanted to be. I had already left family and friends, checked baggage and was completely on my own in a city I didn't want to be in, on Christmas Eve.
Before I tell you about all the life lessons, good will, people coming together and incredible analogies that came from this, let me be very real. The lines were unbelievably long, they didn't move for hours, there was only one agent behind the desk and unless you made friends with the people in line with you, you weren't going to step out of line no matter how bad you needed to go to the bathroom or get a drink.
No one had ever seen anything like this. My feet burned, my back ached and I desperately wished I'd packed extra socks and underwear in my carryon so I could change half way through the night and give myself a sponge-bath in the bathroom to refresh.
Pro tip: Always pack a few emergency essentials in your carryon. Even if it's just a two hour flight.
Yes, I could have left the airport right then and there, checked into a hotel and attempted to book another flight out. Now, I'm glad I didn't. At this point, we didn't know how bad it was going to get and I REALLY wanted to get home. I was also told the next flight available wasn't for three days. On any airline.
I looked at every alternative, including renting a car or flying to another city that would be at least better than the one I was in until I could get home.
At one point I was booked on three different flights and on standby for several others. I was willing to go to San Francisco, Oakland, or Santa Ana, but what I really wanted was a flight to Seattle.
As I stood at the gate with my ticket in hand just a few steps away from being the last person to board a plane to San Francisco in the middle of the night, I looked at the agent and said, "What would you do?" he looked at me and said hold on.
They held the plane.
Where do you really want to go? I told him home was in Seattle.
One minute later he said Merry Christmas and handed me a ticket that left in the morning to Seattle. It actually was a miracle. I wanted to hug him and kiss him I was so happy. The real miracle is, that was one of the few flights that actually took off the next day. I was going home.
How did I thrive through this? My intention. Point blank, that's it. I could have easily melted down along with Southwest, and no shame to anyone that did, it's a valid response to being stranded and feeling trapped.
But for me, I had already had a magical four days with my three daughters, celebrating my birthday, each other and enjoyed our Christmas traditions a few days early. I held onto that emotion. And, I knew where I wanted to go, even though I didn't quite know how to get there. I also knew how I wanted to feel and that getting frustrated wasn't going to change the situation.
The truth is I was warm and safe and more than ok. I was grateful.
Five days later and I still don't have my luggage, it seems I'm meant to enter 2023 with a fresh slate and a minimalist lifestyle.
So here's the thing.
Having a plan and a strategy is great but you know what's even better? Having the ability to adapt and shift when conditions change, new information becomes available or circumstances beyond your control become a factor. This is why intention setting is so important. Your intention is your North Star so circumstances beyond your control don't derail you or alter your energy, leaving you feeling frustrated, defeated or disembodied. As conditions change hold your intention. reevaluate your options and needs and let a new path unfold. Gripping and holding on to a plan that is no longer effective is not the way, aligning with your north star allows space for possibility and the result you desire.
Make it a part of your daily practice.
With all my love,
Lisa
And an extra shout out, blessing and dose of love to all the crew and people traveling with children during this meltdown. You all are hero's. I saw so much patience, people helping each other and honestly just doing their best.
For my birthday and In true Capricorn fashion I designed and intention planner and journal for you to embody your daily intention.
It includes my five step sequence to intention setting, using the energy of the moon, with tracking to support your next evolution of growth and success.
All you have to do is click this button below to download yours! I'm so excited to share it with you, I hope you love it and enjoy using it!
Capricorn moon energy is grounding and strategic. It invites you to get serious about what you really want and use this energy to lay a foundation to support your energy and your desires.
It's the perfect time to dive in and dream big!!!
Please let me know what comes through for you or if you want more support with your daily practice and access to my on-demand breathwork portal, we can do that too!
LIVE 2023 Intention Setting workshop coming to January 18 inside The EVOKE Collective membership community. JOIN HERE I release a new journal with every new moon!
This is not your one and done workshop. When you join you get connection, resources, more live workshops, community and so much more...
I hope to see you there!
With love,
Lisa Malia