Kalispell, Montana. There's a little regional airport set just before the mountains in Glacier National Park. It's a Saturday afternoon, and I'm getting ready to start the journey home. After a quick bite to eat with some friends, we shake hands and part ways as we all head to our separate gates. I find a place close to a plug so I can steal some power from the airport, flipping through my phone to pass the time, scrolling through reels on Facebook and Instagram.
A few minutes go by, as my attention span shortens, and I start to people-watch. I’m looking at the crowd, realizing we are all in the same place, waiting for the same thing, but our experiences in that moment are all very different.
I see a middle-aged man sitting at one of the high tops. His computer is open in front of him. He's got long brown hair, with one hand on his forehead and the other holding his phone. You can tell, not immediately but after observing for a moment, that he is in distress. He almost looks like he's crying. Whatever is being said to him, is pulling the emotion out of him. It's easy to see it on his face as he wipes his eyes and inhales to catch his runny nose.
Behind me is a woman with two little girls, probably four and eight, a stroller sitting next to them. They're all sitting cross-legged on the floor, talking and playing with a collection of varies things: toys, trinkets, snacks, stuff animals, etc. that Mom had packed to keep everyone happy and engaged. They appear content just being with each other.
In front of me, on the floor to the left, is a middle-aged couple. The man, bald with a white beard, and his wife, look a bit distraught. They just heard the announcement that each passenger is limited to one carry on and a personal item. Any additional items need to be consolidated prior to boarding. There they are, he's literally kneeling on a suitcase, trying to zip it up as they attempt to consolidate their carry-ons. It's almost comical to watch two middle-aged people work together to zip up a suitcase in public.
I think to myself about the perspective all of us have, in this same place, taking this same flight, yet our experiences or circumstances couldn't be more different. A man in some sort of distress, a woman who will remember these days with her girls, another couple anxious about getting all their stuff into the suitcase to avoid any hassle at the gate, and me, having spent a few great days with some friends, on my way home to surprise my wife. I'm trying to come in a day early to hopefully meet her at the finish line of her half marathon the next day. Husband of the year! 😊
While we are all here at the same place, waiting to board a flight that is taking us to the same destination at the same time, we are most certainly in a different space; mentally and/or emotionally. We aren't all at the same level of contentment. We will share the same experience, but the way we perceive it and may describe it in the future will undoubtedly be very different.
It’s important to remember that everyone you encounter is navigating their own unique journey. Their outward appearance may not reflect their inner experiences, and their perspective on shared events will likely differ from yours. By being mindful and empathetic, we can better understand and connect with those around us, appreciating the diverse ways in which we all experience the world.
Mark J Modzeleski, CFS, CLTC, AIF
President, Legacy Wealth Advisors of NY