Choice Not Chance, Determines Destiny

Yesterday, I took an early morning flight from Las Vegas to Dallas on my way home to Florida. On the Dallas to Tampa leg of the trip I got lucky and was able to upgrade to first class. As I boarded the plane I spotted my window seat 6F. There was a big man, of very big man, trying to wedge himself into the seat next to mine. As I approached the seat, I smiled and pointed at the empty seat, and apologized for the inconvenience I was about to cause him.

He could barely move and I could see he was extremely uncomfortable as he tried to get up and step aside to allow me into my seat. I thanked him as he tried to maneuver himself back into his seat. He asked for and got a seat belt extender. He was unable to put his tray table down because of his size.

Now, I'm not being judgmental I'm just sharing my observations with you. He ordered a vodka and tonic. He ordered another vodka and tonic. He ordered a double scotch on the rocks. And he ordered another double scotch on the rocks. All of this before 2 p.m. All of this between wheels up and touchdown - about two hours.

There was a choice available for the snack service. However, since we were in the last row the choice was limited to pizza. Airplane pizza is too rich for my system so I took a pass. My seatmate didn't. During the flight I thought about going to the washroom and then reconsidered because of how uncomfortable it might make the big guy sitting next to me. I was prepared to grind it out.

When low and behold, the big guy went to the washroom. He could barely move. When the plane landed I expected to be trapped in my seat until all passengers left the plane and a wheel chair arrived for the big guy. To my surprise, not only did he get up he also removed luggage from the overhead bin. We all followed him up the jet-way as he inched his way slowly, very slowly to the terminal. He practically collapsed, he was so out of breath, on the first available seat he found in the terminal.

Ellie Crystal once said, "Choice not chance determines destiny." Few of us make all of the right choices - however, the big guy, seems to be making a lot of wrong ones.

That's the story - here's the point: Life is all about choices. We are the sum total of our choices.