What we don’t expect… often gives the most.

I love adventure… but this what not quite what I expected!

Usually when I travel things flow quite seamlessly, and I am easily able to roll with the hiccups here or there, trusting the flow, but I’ve never had quite the ride as what the Universe just took me on while heading to Alberta.

“Two flights delayed, both eventually cancelled, a long day at the Montreal airport that ended in an overnight stay and delay to start off the next day.”

As you might expect, there was an air of confusion and anxiousness when the disruption first came, but I could never have anticipated how the day would unfold.

I had started out my day in my usual travel flow, wandering solo, earbuds in, podcasts of inspiration in my wake. Keeping to myself, taking in this liminal time-out just for me.

Then as often happens, standing in line waiting to board a comment behind me caught my ear. I turned around to the woman behind me and she started to talk to me.

What followed was a delightful conversation talking about husbands who like to fly planes (hers professionally… mine online, though he dreams ☺️) to living off-grid. I was enthralled. I rarely meet people who get what it’s about, managing batteries, following the sun, planning laundry days around the battery charge. Her and her husband had had an off-grid home in northern Ontario before moving to Calgary. What started off as a sweet little connection moved quickly into navigating the day together as we figured out what was next with our now cancelled flight.

We were both travelling in business so we went up to the lounge to wait out our new assignments. Food, conversation, life stories, we are similar age… it was like reconnecting with a ‘new’ old friend.

After a while she, Alana, decided to head back to her sons for the day as her flight wouldn’t come until that evening. We exchanged socials and said our “ya-never-know” next-times.

Almost immediately after, I caught the gaze of a guy nearby, he says, “Do we know each other?” (no it wasn’t a pickup line, lol) Here’s the odd thing… I had saw him and a girl I had boarded with in Halifax chatting when we came in. He looked so familiar, so when he asked, I said, “where are you from? You look so familiar to me too!” We never could place it, but the three of us ended up in a two+ hour deep dive into life, curious contemplations, sharing experiences, and what challenges and inspires us. Again it was like meeting up with people I had known my whole life. Nadia, Lorenzo, and I now have a group chat to follow up on those life conversations.

We slowly parted ways as flight times came and went. I was left to “fend for myself” for my flight time. I stood there quite astonished and slightly grateful for the delays to have had such heart-fulfilling experiences. It all felt somehow worth-while or meant-to-be, though still disappointed to be missing time with my true long time friend in Calgary.

After more delays, we boarded. Waiting for maintenance, I dropped into a much needed cat-nap, then unfortunately we were deplaned and cancelled for the second time. I was not angry, I completely surrendered, and got really freaking curious… now what the Universe was trying to teach me?

I knew Alana’s flight was supposed to go out right after mine, given the delay I knew she’s be around. I tapped her shoulder, and we had one more moment of connection to check in, laugh it all off, and wish each other well on our way… this time hoping it would be some time before we came across each other again. 😆 I made my way to the carousel to retrieve my bag. No more flights out that night, and everything booked to the max.

Rescheduled for the same original flight the next day, it was time to get some zzz’s. While waiting (forever) for my bag to come, I met Amy. Her and her sisters flying home from a sister vacation in Madrid. Finally with my bag in hand, I wished her well, I’d see her the next morning for our new flight.

Hotel booked, I headed for the shuttle. Buses and buses passed and none with my hotel name… Amy eventually showed up and we realized we were waiting for the same shuttle. Now almost 10pm, we decided to go catch a cab together, enough was enough. On the way there we saw Subway, “food first?” I said, starving, as I was waiting for my next meal on the plane. She said “yes, there will be nothing open at the hotel”. More connection and supportive conversation along the way, we parted ways at the hotel for some deeply needed sleep.

Waking 5 mins before my alarm, I got up and got ready… today would be a new day! Then, 5 mins before I planned to leave my room… bing!.. another hour delay. Good thing I had decided to wear this shirt… my heart was light. ☺️

I laid back down and tried to sleep. What I received was a nice long meditative rest. Repeating a centring mantra to keep my mind from wandering and worrying with hand on my heart and belly. Simply receiving.

Eventually I was back at the airport, going through security with my new Nexus pass… finally some flow! 😉

I grabbed a Starbucks and immediately ran into Amy. We made our way to the gate while checking in with each other along the way.

Gently anticipating our boarding time, the gate attendee advised of a slight delay due to an issue on the plane. We gasped! But Brian, a soon-to-be new friend, said “no issue, they are just helping someone off the plane”. 😮‍💨

In no time we were boarding… well, until we were standing in the boarding bridge for a good 20 mins. Meanwhile, Brian and I engaged in a delightful conversation about life balance, work, and learning to choose what we need over “what has been the norm”. He, a new dad, has been learning how to set boundaries with work, so he can find time for himself, staying healthy, and be there for his wife and young child. It reminded me of how much I see people really owning their lives in new ways these days. It’s so amazing!

When I found my way to my seat (aka pod! 😁), I found myself reflecting on the question that had been stirring for the past 24 hours. Why?

Why did I get soooo delayed? Why wasn’t I just swept off to Calgary to be with my dear friend like I had planned? I could feel the heaviness of that in my heart. After I was finally airborne 🎉, I allowed myself to sit back with it all. I put in my earbuds and found a piece of music that spoke to my heart. What unfolded was the most profound gift.

Hands on heart and belly, deep centering breaths, I dropped my awareness into my heartspace. A review was shown to me… I began the journey expecting alone time, keeping to myself and my podcast reflections, thinking that was what I needed. Yet Spirit revealed that is not always what my heart actually needs. My heart needs connection, it needs relationships and to be oriented with people who see me and I whom I can also see.

Heading into this trip, I was anticipating the “liminal twilight zone” of time alone that I often think I need on these trips, but what I was shown is how no matter where I am, I can always be in connection, and more importantly, a reminder of just how much that fuels my heart.

A wave of tears washed over me, (thankfully hidden in my pod at this point) I was able to let them flow… silently, but fully. A subtle layer for the tears for missing time with my friend, but deeper layer of seeing just how much my heart was filled up over the course of this liminal day through all of these wonderful relations and connections… revealing, a twilight zone of love and unity. (so healing)

I was reminded… sitting directly in the heart center of my Gene Keys profile is a Key called Unity, whose Shadow is Dislocation, and Gift is Orientation, with a 4th Line of Belonging. Once again, Spirit had oriented me in profound way for heart expanding unity and belonging. I had perhaps tried to dislocate myself in my liminal space, when truly I was better served and in-service being oriented in connection with those around me.

We are never alone when we truly look around, nor do we need to be.

If you made it to the end of this wild ride with me, thank you for receiving.

I invite you to take a moment to look within yourself.

How are you orienting yourself?
What Gift might be hidden in what feels disorienting or uncomfortable?
How do you meet the unexpected moments life brings?

I’d love to hear any self-reflections revealed to you.

Sending you love… from the otherside. 💕 I’ve finally landed.