The science and psychology of choosing seats on a plane

I have traveled on planes countless times, and the thought of talking to someone sitting next to me has always filled me with the worst anxiety.  How can I fill 5 hours of travel time (or more) with conversation with a stranger? 

But as I moved down the aisle of the plane and life should unfold before my very eyes – there was a gentleman sitting in my seat.  My husband and I had purchased an aisle and a window seat in the hopes that we would have a middle seat empty between us.  In the event that we did have a fellow passenger in between us – we would simply offer him the window, and sit together.    

You all know how fond I am of win/win situations!   In this case, it was.    

Not only did we give a desirable seat to a very grateful passenger, but I also made a friend. Within moments of him initiating the conversation, all of my previous anxieties were quelled.  It was like we were old friends, picking up where we had once left off.  We talked throughout the flight... and I was genuinely moved by this man who was flying to California to mourn the loss of his brother's fight to cancer. 

Partway through our budding friendship, he had asked me to read the words that he had prepared to speak about his brother.  I was so moved that he would share with me such an intimate and beautiful memorial of someone that was so important in his life.  His words were perfect. I assured him that they would be well received at the memorial the following day, and thanked him for giving me the honor of being a small part of this event in his life.   

Isn't it amazing how stories can make us laugh, cry, but most of all – feel a kinship to a “stranger”?  Even more amazing  – after these moments, we usually aren't strangers anymore.  We're just friends who have been previously separated by time and space.    

I told him a little bit about me, and how I was writing a post for Steemit for a treasure hunt... and that I hadn't the slightest clue what I was going to write about.  I needed a post with the word “seas” in order to complete my port phrases.  What was the name of the daughter of his beloved brother?   Mare.  She was named after the seas. 

There are no coincidences in life.    In discord today, @calumam and I were encouraging someone who was sharing their struggles with depression and anxiety.  As I read the end of the memorial speech that my new friend John had written to encourage the people attending the service, my heart skipped a beat.  He had quoted his brother, using the same words that I had spoken just hours in discord.  Words that were on my heart.  Words that he had heard from his brother.  Words that he wanted to pass on to inspire the hearts of those left behind.  Words that I had shared with the intent to breathe hope into a hurting soul. 

The connectivity in the conversation was not lost on either of us and we both agreed that this giant world is much smaller than we tend to realize.  Isn't it an exquisite thing when a seemingly random conversation can connect hearts?  I won't fill up this post with the other things that we had in common, but it was almost amazingly and fantastically spooky. 

In closing... I'll just end the post with the encouragement that synced us today. I won't tell you the actual words – I'll just paraphrase it for now.  The actual words aren't important.  The heart of the content is.

Take the time.

I'll say that again.  Take... the time...   Fill the rest of the sentence with all of the things that make your heart sing.  Your time is so precious and limited  

Take the time …. 

This post is an OFFICIAL PORT on @dreemsteem's "X Marks the Post" Treasure Hunt.  If you'd like to become a treasure hunter, an official stop, or a sponsor - Follow the map to begin your journey! By the way, she loves good comments even more than upvotes - so be sure to say Hi! 

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