Some people really like flying, which, to me, means they apparently like uncomfortable chairs, terrible food, a total lack of space and privacy and of course, the fact that sleeping on planes is a no-win situation (mess up your neck or simply go without).
Obviously, I am not a person who likes flying. And of course, I spent a ridiculous amount of time on a plane coming back from halfway across the world (approximately 16 hours over a 24-hour period). Usually, on a plane, I put in my headphones, watch movies and pretend that I am actually sleeping, (I'm really just trying to ignore some person's knees digging into my back). Oh, and I completely ignore the random stranger sitting next to me.
For some reason, this time I didn't. I spent hours talking to the people sitting next to me, and learned some incredible things from some pretty cool people. So, here's some advice from the three random girls I sat next to on the plane:
1. There is always time in your life for family.
2. Don't be afraid to pursue something new, even if you have to give something else up.
If you have a job you love, great for you. But if you know that you can pursue an amazing career and get out of something kind of boring, don't be afraid of something new! Go for you dreams, don't settle.
3. Travel.
Living in one place for all of your life will never give you the experiences that traveling can. A German girl I sat next to spent six months traveling New Zealand. Personally, I matured and really found myself while traveling, because I got to spend the time for me.
4. Don't be afraid to ask for advice.
I don't pretend that I'm ready for the future. But talking to some people who have more experience...now I know that it will work out! And I have some great advice for how to weather the bad days and celebrate the good ones, just because I was willing to ask.
5. Live in the moment!
Stop looking ahead and planning out every single detail. Enjoy the moment you are in! I believe everything happens for a reason - but if we are only looking ahead, how will we ever discover those reasons?
6. One act of kindness can change someone's day.
On my third flight (yes...third) I simply grabbed an extra bag of peanuts and Cheese-Its for one of the girls sitting next to me because she was asleep. As it turned out, she'd had rough weekend, and I think that a really simple act helped turn her day around.
7. Don't allow others to control where you end up.
One of the girls was switching careers. She'd always planned on being a doctor, but now realized she didn't want to. She wanted to do other things, and then settle down to be a PA. Even though others told her she could "do better" or bragged about their own career, she did what was best for her.
8. Dream big.
I have huge dreams, and so did those girls. They dreamed of getting high-level degrees, going to grad school, becoming significant people. People told them they couldn't, and yet they went ahead and did it. If that doesn't encourage you, I don't know what can!
9. Encourage others to dream big.
Spread the love. Tell someone you support them, no matter what. Give good advice, but never just shut them down!
10. Listen to other people, don't just pretend.
This was perhaps the most important thing I learned from those few girls. I learned about their boyfriends, their jobs, their dreams. I discovered some really cool people on those planes. And I still remember it all, because I actually listened.
And they listened to me. They gave fantastic, personal advice that taught me how wonderful my life could really become if I went for it. They didn't pretend, instead they actually cared about some random stranger on a long plane ride.
You see, I hate flying. But those plane rides were pretty incredible, because I talked to some random strangers who I will likely never meet again, and got some great advice. So I pass on my 10 pieces of advice from girls I sat next to on the plane.
