Connecting with Karma

What's the last random act of kindness you've done? Did you hand a bag of chips from the top shelf to a shorter woman at the grocery store? Did you ask someone how they're doing? Did you buy the person behind you in line a coffee?

These are all simple acts that we do for our fellow humans to make a connection. In our modern society in which we bury our faces into our phones oblivious to those around us, the human touch is deteriorating faster than Apple pushes out new Iphones. While some will debate by saying we're more connected than ever, the reality is that social skills have reached the point that organic conversations have not only become rare but awkward as well. So let's get this right. It's uncomfortable to strike up a conversation in public places but totally normal to get a date with a complete stranger by swiping left? Wtf?

Reach out and make a connection. It can't hurt and you never know what it will lead to. Here's an example of what I believe to be karma. Cabbing to the airport on a Saturday morning is usually about a twenty minute ride. Everything seemed to line up. The cab was on time. I checked in for the fight….or so I thought. Traffic was good. Until we neared the bridge. There was a multi-vehicle accident. Tick, tick, tick. An hour and a half later I'm running through the airport to drop my bags. The agent tells me the flight has already been closed so I'll have to catch the next one tomorrow. I explain that I've already checked-in online. No sir your documents need to be verified here, you only paid for your baggage fees. 

Breathing is often overlooked in these situations. I'm sure most of us have been in a similar position. What did you do and how effective was your method of communication? Instead of panicking, becoming upset, or lashing out, take a breath first. When confronted by these circumstances we often change our breathing pattern which reduces the oxygen to our brain resulting in irrational decision making.

Having maintained a steady deep breathing pattern I simply turned to the human touch. I asked how her day was going. After a few minutes of chatting I asked how a fight becomes closed off. She explained that the agents at the gate close off the flight. Can you do me a favor? Would you mind explaining the situation to the gate agent? She picked up the phone and explained the traffic accident on the bridge which resulted in my tardiness to the gate agent. Suddenly she was reaching for the urgent tags in which she promptly attached to my luggage. Sir. If you can make it to the gate before the doors close you'll make your flight.

The power of asking questions politely and making that connection. I'm out of shape. Working on it a little but I'm in no condition to run through the airport. It's amazing what you're capable of when you need to catch a flight! Belly jiggling as I ran through the airport I made it to the gate and much to my surprise all of my fellow passengers were still waiting for boarding. Wait. What? The flight was delayed three hours! Would I have made the flight had it not been delayed? Maybe. Was it karma?

I think it was because the following is what happened next. Having wiped the sweat from my face I had to sit down to regroup. I made a few calls. Wife. Car rental. Hotel. To let them know I had been delayed. While I was sitting, a man limped by and sat next me. He muttered never to fly United. After a brief conversation about the airline, our flight, and ultimate destinations I asked how he's doing. He explained to me about his undiagnosed leg condition and how it's wearing on him. Having chatted for a few minutes we spoke about what we do and who we know. Sure enough we had a mutual friend. Before the agent whisked him away to another flight he gave me his card and said to call him if I have any good ideas. As it turns out, he's a venture capitalist in the tech sector looking for a project like Country Club X.  Now that's karma!