My recent flight from Dallas to LA was delayed, putting my connection to Sydney in jeopardy. I typically avoid booking close connections, but with a speaking engagement on Thursday and the Sydney Marathon on Sunday, I was cutting it close. A 16-hour flight and a 14-hour time difference meant any delay could derail my plans.
Panic Mode: What’s Most Important?
As I ran between the American Airlines customer service counter and my gate, panic set in. I had spent a year planning this trip and had been chasing my dream of running marathons on all seven continents for over 20 years. My three friends, who didn’t know each other, were also flying with me to Sydney.
Faced with potential options, I realized the situation was dire:
- I might miss the race.
- My luggage could be delayed.
- Changing airlines could mean losing my luggage altogether!
The fear of not reaching my goals was overwhelming, but I paused to reassess my priorities. I asked myself, “What’s most important here?”
Embracing Flexibility
The answer was clear: the entire trip. This was a three-week adventure with friends, featuring a speaker conference, another marathon, a TEDx talk, and some epic tourist-ing. While running the marathon was part of my long-term goal, I could always return to Australia to race again. Plus, my marathon gear was in my carry-on, so I would be ready to go regardless of luggage delays or loss.
Letting go of my original plans allowed me to think clearly and find a viable alternative.
Returning Home: Facing Hurricane Milton
Fast forward three weeks: I landed in Washington, DC, after a 14-hour flight from Qatar. All I wanted to do was get home, unpack and sleep in my own bed, but Hurricane Milton was stomping toward my house in St. Pete. I had to reassess my situation once more.
I could either return to an unsafe home or stay in a hotel until Milton was done with his temper tantrum. Again, I asked, “What’s most important here?” My safety took precedence over my comfort, so I opted for a temporary stay.
Finding Clarity Amidst Chaos
Life doesn’t always go as planned, in fact it rarely does. Learning to let go of how I thought it would go and focus on what truly matters can lead to better solutions. My brilliant friend and mentor, Michelle Villalobos calls this putting things “on the altar.” It helps clear your mind and open up new possibilities.
Despite the rocky start, I arrived in Sydney at 8 PM on Saturday night—with my luggage! My friends managed without me, and by some miracle, I finished the Sydney Marathon.
Conclusion: A Journey Worth Taking
I returned home last Friday, relieved to find that Milton had bypassed my house. During my unexpected hotel stay in DC, I managed to be more productive and restful than I actually might have been at home.
While it would have been more comfortable if everything had gone according to plan, the journey turned out just fine. Accepting reality and focusing on my priorities made the experience more bearable—and chocolate definitely helped! (Sorry I ate your Malaysian dark chocolate souvenir Mom!)
Final Thoughts: Life is full of travel and life challenges, but by keeping your priorities straight, you can navigate obstacles with grace.
So get ‘em, Tiger!
What’s on the Dancefloor?
If you’re interested in more about my trip, I’m my own guest on Dancing in the Discomfort Zone podcast this week! I share the trip, the lessons, and the triumphs (of which there were many!) Enjoy!
What I’m excited about:
The Sydney Opera House! HOLY COW that building is amazing. We took the tour to learn about the architecture, the designer and to see this iconic building it all it’s glory. We were all so in love with it, that we got tickets and saw a musical there! What an experience.
