LOVE – HATE – DISCONTENT What’s Your View of Your Family?

I recently spent some time in Athens, Greece, with my daughter's family. In fact, my daughter had our third grandbaby. Spending some time in Greece, I realized how important families are. Greek families are very close. Parents leave houses and land to their kids; they expect the property to remain in the family forever. However, I have to tell you that isn't always the case in America.

On my flight home, I encountered a challenging situation. As I sat in my Delta Comfort seat, a couple came up to me and asked if I would change seats with her husband (they were on their honeymoon). I said sure, as long it was still comfort +. It was at the front of the group. I settled into my aisle seat and put on my headphones, drifting off to the sounds of Ray LaMontagne. As people boarded, I realized very quickly that my flight was going to be a challenge. A group of teenagers sat in the 5 middle seats across from me and were very loud and obnoxious. And then their dad came to my row and sat at the window. He then asked me if I would change seats so he could be by his kids. I was more than happy to make that change!

But............................the annoyance began. He would place his arm totally on the armrest, and I would continually push it off. He then pulled his backpack from the overhead storage, went looking for stuff, and placed many things all on my feet and in my area. Now my frustration levels were exceeding my medication. I remember thinking about what action I wanted to take, but then thought about how someone would video my actions and place them on youtube would go viral, and then I would be arrested, lose my job, and probably my family.

With all of the racket, movement, and noise, I turned up the volume and eventually fell asleep but was awoken when his head fell on my shoulder. Really? I realized sleep would evade me. So I took out my laptop, started working, and continued to listen to music with my noise-canceling headphones. I tried to ignore all of the loud talking and movement. I realized later; they were going to a wedding in Mykonos and visiting family on another island. The family really loved each other, and the brothers and sisters seemed to get along very well. As I was thinking about my family, the mom came from First class to talk with her family. I did say I was willing to change seats with her, but she laughed and stopped looking at me. As I sat there and went through all of this, I began to think about how people view the world we live in. And I realized it is all based on our perspective and the influences surrounding us.

I thought about the phrase "love is, actually, all around."

If you spend time perusing social media, the web, CNN, or Fox News, I believe you'd find that the current situation is one consumed with hate and greed. Ethical values are hard to come by in the workplace, politics, and personal lives. It seems people with integrity are few and far between and that the basic message to the young and old is that "the world sucks, and then you die."

With the advent of social media and an increased interest in the 24-hr. news, we, as a society, have become obsessed with the shockingly evil things that take place. But, unfortunately, the good in the world is rarely highlighted.

In the words of Hugh Grant's opening monologue in the movie, "Love Actually," he says this;

"Whenever I get gloomy with the state of the world, I think about the arrivals gate at Heathrow Airport. General opinion's starting to make out that we live in a world of hatred and greed, but I don't see that. It seems to me that love is everywhere. Often, it's not particularly dignified or newsworthy. Still, it's always there-fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, husbands and wives, boyfriends, girlfriends, old friends. When the planes hit the twin towers, as far as I know, none of the phone calls from the people on board were messages of hate and revenge – they were all messages of love. So, if you look for it, I've got a sneaky feeling you'll find that love actually is all around."

As a frequent business traveler, I spend a large part of my day in and out of airports, traveling between cities, hoping to make my connection, and eating high-fat "travel" food. In addition, airports provide a chance to catch up on phone calls, answer emails and work on projects.?It is also a great place to people-watch.

Airports offer a simplistic look into society and the variation found in individuals. There are people happy to go on vacation and people frustrated because their travel plans have changed. Some have had too many drinks (remember the ladies behind me?), and others are experiencing deep sadness as they travel to attend the funeral of a loved one.?

One thing I've learned from the airport terminals and from sitting on long flights is that "love is actually all around us."

I realize that we are not as bad as social media and the news make us out to be. Sure, I believe the world has changed. Our moral compasses have been compromised, and ethics and integrity have taken a back seat. However, in the modified words of Hugh Grant, "mothers and fathers love their kids, grandparents cannot get enough of their grandkids, people will help others, and our hearts are generally kind." We do love each other, regardless of how we look, dress, and our hair color. We ultimately know what is right and choose to make our own decisions. We are happy and sad, but we lean on family and friends to support and encourage us.

There is still a moral compass upon us, and we are a society based upon ethical business practices through the integrity of others. When someone is wrongfully influenced, leaders will arise to bring about truth and honesty. Although society has evolved over the years, I am determined to see the good consumed with the sensationalism of hate.