Tonight was a powerful reminder to keep my emotions under control I allowed The Drunk Monkey to derail my emotions and I suddenly found myself stopped at every step of my trip. When I finally released my resistance, the results were magical. Here’s what happened.
I arrived at the airport later than I would like (45 min till take off). I was nervous about missing my flight. Not a great feeling of ease and allowing, which is my practiced state.
When I arrived at my airline to check in the line was way longer then I expected for a Monday night. I worked today (Presidents Day) so I didn’t realize that apparently many people took a holiday in the OC this weekend.
Needless to say, I accidentally allowed The Drunk Monkey to chime in and take control. Anxiety hit and I tried to preoccupy my mind with my iPhone. Consequently, I missed the fact that there was a business select line which had no one in it. I finally realized when someone walked right past me and to the front of the line!! Instantly I got frustrated and jumped from my line to the business select.
Finally, I’m going to be on time!! The guy in front of me must have been planning a round the world trip. The Drunk Monkey kept saying “I just need to check my bags and go!!!!!” Next thing I know, to my right, the girl I was behind in the original line is walking up to the kiosk to check her bags. My blood starts to boil. “calm down monkey, all is well, this guy will be done in a moment and you will be on your way.”
Then the next person and next person goes!! The Monkey starts scheming, “You’re in business select, you can just cut. Do it Matthew!” Next thing I know I’m typing in my confirmation number and suddenly there’s a loud annoying alarm. I was just starting to breathe a little easy. Now, this nasty machine is telling me I have checked in too late and my bags aren’t guaranteed to arrive on my flight. “Breath Matthew! You are trained! All is well. Chill out.”.
Turns out now I need to have an attendant check me in. Which is exactly what was happening perfectly for the person who was waiting before me in the business select line. If I wouldn’t have cut I would have been fine!!! Ug!
Finally, I get my bags checked and head to security. By the time I’m through I’ve got 15 minutes to get to my gate. ITS THE LAST GATE IN THE TERMINAL!!!! I get my boogie on and run to the gate. Just in time. No one has boarded. I catch my breath and recite my favorite Renee Swisko affirmation, “I’m a conduit for pure positive energy. It flows to me and through me. I am in harmony with all that is.”
I walk on the plane first in line. Right behind the preboard people who need extra time. Once I step on the plane, 2 elderly sisters are stopped on the first row quietly bickering about their bags and seating arrangements. By this time I had already surrendered to the flow. So my natural instincts had switched from selfish make it happen mode to service mode. After standing there for 2-3 minutes with a line of a hundred people behind me I simply stepped in and offered to put all Thierry bags up and handle it for them. The agreed and the line flowed again.
After I sat down the flight attendant came up and told me that she was buying my first drink! Bam!!! Just like that, I was back in the flow of good things happening. Only then did I realize that I had been keeping myself from the flow of luck and synchronicity with my fearful thoughts of missing my plane.
I wasn’t living my training that dictates. When you allow yourself to be frustrated, everything gets stuck, things stop working and life gets worse.
Conversely, when you relax and allow life to be exactly what it is, you are naturally more helpful and positive and life reciprocates with more good things coming your way.
The moral of the story? We all have to stay vigilant. My anxiety was a tip off that I was allowing The Drunk Monkey (my automatic mind chatter) to run my life. The Drunk Monkey is ready to run your life and accidentally stop the flow of goodness at any time.
Not because The Drunk Monkey is bad. It’s not. Its job is to avoid danger. Problem is, missing your flight is not dangerous and does not warrant a fight or flight response. Yet that fight or flight response has you miss important clues that will get you back in flow again. I’d I wasn’t stressing I would have noticed the business select line instantly and strolled right past the line with ease.
When you feel good life works, you are more resourceful and creative. When you don’t, it doesn’t. Pretty simple stuff but it takes a life time to master.
Author
Matthew Ferry
3 Comments
Drunk Monkey-so true. Good reminder as I have at time been in and out of my version of “absolute sheer bliss.” I often refer to it as an athlete IN or OUT of “the zone.” When I force things things don’t work out, when I allow myself to “get in the zone” things seem easy and effortless. Drunk Monkey and “in the zone” which do I choose. Thanks for the reminder Matt, you ARE the man.
steve smith
sacramento
Wow…VERY cool example. I can totally relate. I allowed the monkey to get out of the cage today. I am now going back and thinking about the “trigger” and recognize it. He hasn’t been out in a while. lol!
Mathew,
Thanks for sharing your airport story, they’re always good for lessons and laughs.
I watched the very funny release “Due Date.” You might be able to relate to the first act. I know I did.
The Robert Downey Jr., character, Peter Highman’s resolution was equally simple:
“Check yourself, before you wreck yourself.” As offered by Zach Galifianakis, as Ethan Tremblay.