A good deed is always rewarded
Feb 24th, 2007 by Accidental Thinker
This morning, I did something not very nice. But I had a change of heart, corrected my mistake, and am glad to say that this story has a happy ending.
Imagine, if you will, a full flight aboard a commercial aircraft, where you are contentedly settled in your choice aisle seat hoping, as the remaining passengers board, that the middle seat next to you will remain unoccupied. Further imagine that near the end of the boarding process, said middle seat companion not only arrives, but asks if you would be willing to trade seats with her husband, so they can sit together. The only catch is, you would be trading your cushy aisle seat for a cramped middle seat.
Readers, I was in just this situation this morning. Shamefully, I said no. I wanted my carefully selected aisle seat, which offered a bit more room to stretch out. So the passenger turned to the person on her other side with the same request, who responded pretty much as I had. And in that exchange I heard exactly what I must have sounded like with my lame excuses.
My conscience took over and I thought to myself, “Self, what is wrong with you? You’re no better than that self-absorbed jerk who thinks he is more entitled to the aisle seat just because he travels frequently. It’s a short flight. You’re skinnier than you used to be, so sandwiching between two strangers will be less tortuous than it might have been in the past. And for goodness sake, where is your Christian heart? This woman wants to sit next to her husband. You would want the same in her shoes. When did you get so selfish?”
So I mustered the courage to eat some humble pie and offered to give up my seat after all.
Want proof that God forgives mistakes and repays kindness? On the very next leg of my flight, I got upgraded to first class—for the first time since earning elite status last year. I’m convinced that was no coincidence, and I learned an important lesson. With kindness, everyone wins.
Good for you! I hate the middle seat, too, but I have always appreciated when people have offered to move so I could sit next to my travelling companion, be it my husband or a friend. And how awesome to get upgraded!
And if you would not have dome it you would have been kicking yourself all the way home. I would have. I have been the jerk in the next row and I have been nice and always like being nice a lot better.
I agree. I have been in opposite situations where I have done something not so nice and something not so nice happened to me. I knew why. What goes around comes around. I truly believe that. I try to be good. I really do!
Here’s a secret: Raise your kids to be airline pilots. You’d be surprised how often you get first class seating. Of course, it’s all ‘standby,’ but it’s all free!!!
Trouble is: first class ain’t what it used to be.
I travelled first class on one vacation – on my parent’s dime.
OooooH! It was fabulous!
I hope you enjoyed your cushy upgrade along with the good feeling of showing kindness to that woman and her hubby.
You get a gold star!
You are a better person than me.
I always ask for an aisle seat when I fly. I tend to get a tad claustrophobic in the air and I really don’t think I could muster up the kindness needed to give it up.
Bless your kind heart. You definitely deserved a first class ride after that.
You’re a better man than I am Gunga Din. I’d hang on to that aisle seat. I know some couples who actually book the middle seat too and call it cheap 1st class. ;0)