What if

My flight home was delayed by an hour. The woman sitting next to me was unsure if she would make her connection; she was nearly convinced she’d miss her next flight as a result of the delay.

Reviewing the arrival and departure times, it would be close.

After a reasonable amount of fretting and fussing (the passenger’s, not mine) I offered — in a kind, gentle way — some truth:

“You can spend the next three hours worried and stressed, or you can trust that when we land, you’ll be able to figure out what you need to do.”

Her posture changed and she seemed to relax.

Three hours later, she thanked me, then hurried off as the cabin door opened.

Plans will go pear-shaped from time to time. We don’t have to allow our minds to do the same.