Caring

Love As Being

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When you lose your ability to care, you lose the thing that makes you human: your heart. –John Sowers, chapter 24 “Love As Being,” Say All the Unspoken Things

At first read, I thought to myself, “I’ve had heartless moments, even a heartless season. How did that happen?”

To be fair to myself, the moments and seasons that come to mind weren’t complete loses of caring. They’re better described as misdirected, distracted, or too much in the weeds that I forgot the big picture. And by big picture, I’m thinking more about all the relationships in a setting versus a select one or two.

So how did that happen?

Selfishness. There was a moment I upstaged some dear friends. I was so caught up in my own story that I lost sight of their story. Thankfully, they didn’t lose their heart.

Demanding Justice. There was a season I was determined to right a wrong. No one asked me to; no one gave me permission. Thankfully, that season came to an end before I lost heart.

Abusing Power. There was a moment I carved a wound with a hasty decision. In that moment, I chose perfection over mercy. Thankfully, that scar reminds me what power can do to my heart.

The chapter title of Sowers’ quote is worth noting. The less I care about doing and more about being the more loving I am.

Thanks for saying the things, John Sowers.

Photo by Isaac Quesada on Unsplash

A Good Name

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Left this morning for my first 2024 race trip. Checking off three states between Friday and Monday.

I pretty exclusively fly Southwest. And I want to give a shoutout to this guy.

Lead Flight Attendant,
Flight 4811 from MDW to TUL

From what I observed, a lunch conversation with him would be fun. He’s got a story or two, no doubt.

But my shoutout is due to his leading a flight in a way I’ve never witnessed. Here are six ways he did it.

  • It was his cabin. There was no question who was in charge.
  • He set the tone. There was no question about how any craziness would be addressed.
  • He cared more than usual. He asked and reasked passengers about their wants and needs unlike any flight attendant I recall.
  • He balanced firmness with laughter. Firmness first,  followed by plenty of relaxed engagement.
  • He led a unified crew. They followed his lead and appeared to respect and enjoy each other.
  • He was comfortable in his own skin doing things his way. He knew how he wanted things to go and enjoyed doing it.

It wasn’t appropriate as we deplaned, but I wanted to tell him employees like him give Southwest a good name. More importantly,  for all the people he’d say he represents, he gives all of them a good name.

Well done, Sir!