"Get mad, then get over it.” Colin Powell

                The other morning I awoke at 4:15 a.m. after a restless, intermittent four hour so-called sleep.  I had a 6:30 a.m. flight home from San Francisco and my intention was to get in a quick workout before heading to the airport.  My usual routine is to check in for my flight before reaching the airport as this saves time and is one less thing to think about.  After downing my Starbucks black coffee I found myself sitting in front of the hotel computer aimlessly pressing buttons to get the check-in site to load.  After entering my information for the third time I realized that I required my passport, and not just my credit card number, to check in and oddly enough I could swear that I heard the Jaws theme song playing somewhere in the background.

                Now, at 4:50, I ran up to my room and came back down passport in hand.  Once again I waited an infinitely long time for the site to load.  Ten minutes later as I was printing my boarding passes I realized that I was not seat assigned.  For virgin travellers out there this often means one thing – the flight is oversold.  Much like a wedding where guests RSVP to attend and do not show up, airlines sell tickets to people of which some do not check in.  Their solution is to oversell the flight by two or three people to compensate.  At 5:00 a.m., with decades of personal development under my belt, I was still able to maintain a positive outlook.

                Well, the workout was a good idea, however my ten minute check-in had turned into a forty-five minute extravaganza so I opted to shower, always a good idea, and head to the airport.  I checked in my one bag with the very friendly agent who graciously put a priority tag on it.  After being pregnant last year and not flying as much, I lost my elite status so like everyone in North America have to pay extra for my luggage and forego the lounges until I have enough miles under my belt.  This particular agent was sympathetic so with priority tag glimmering like an orange pylon screaming ‘keep me safe and expedite me,’ I was once again feeling super confident.

                I asked the agent about my seat and I am sure I saw a glimmer of trepidation pass across his face.  He assured me that I would be seat assigned at the gate and to go ahead through security.  Airport security has become, for some, a quasi erotic experience with a twist.  I really do not see the need for strip clubs when you have dozens of people at one time eagerly removing belts, shoes, jackets and sweaters; they might as well be chanting ‘take it off’ at the top of their lungs.  Through TSA and re-dressed, I headed to the gate.  I sauntered up to the counter to ask for my seat assignment only to be informed that yes, the flight was oversold and not by 2-3 people; this United flight was oversold by 20 people.

                In my previous elite status life, I would automatically go to the top of the list.  As people volunteered to take later flights, usually with a business class upgrade, I would be assured of a seat.  In this case, I was near the bottom of the list and decided that I would use my magic powers of manifestation to get on that flight.

                To be honest, I have watched the Secret many times.  I have read books on and teach the law of attraction.  I have friends that talk about their special powers of manifestation and profess to always get great parking spots, move to the front of the line and seemingly have a horseshoe on their  ‘you know what!’  I may be a speaker, trainer and author of several books and yes, have manifested some incredible things however one thing I can tell you for sure is that if you are not meant to be doing something, the universe who I call God, will do everything to prevent you from doing it.

                I sat there waiting for people to volunteer their seats and despite repeated announcements, no one approached the podium.  Initially, I have to admit, I began to feel frustrated.  I was sleep deprived, missing my family like crazy and was yearning for the comfort of my own bed.  In addition to that, our friend was flying in to meet me at my home airport and I absolutely needed to be there.  The well being, but non English speaking gal behind the counter happily told me that the next flight to Chicago was at 1:00 p.m. which would get me home after 1:00 in the morning.

                After reviewing my options I decided to fly directly to Toronto and then on to Ottawa.  Unfortunately, the flight I was looking at was also full.  In addition to this my luggage was already on the plane that was now pulling away from the gate.  My calm exterior gave way to overt disgust as a ticket agent, not the woman handling my case, took liberty in lecturing me on why I could not be assigned a seat on a flight that wasn’t United for no apparent reason other than her own frustration in dealing with angry customers.  As tensions rose, ‘United’ became the new ‘F’ word.

                My pleasant and somewhat incoherent agent also told me that I would have to leave the terminal in order to go onto my next flight, which was within the hour.  That would mean leaving through security, going to another terminal and then coming back in through security; all this for a flight that I had no guarantee of getting on.   In my efforts to remain calm I allowed logic to take over.  Before exiting the terminal I connected with an agent at TSA who informed me that my departing flight was leaving from my current terminal and not to exit.

                With another potential stressor avoided I went to my new departure gate and took a moment to breathe.  I eventually did get on the desired outgoing flight and made it home just one hour later than planned.  Although my luggage was lost and would not arrive for two days, at least I was at home.  My friend David and I worked for two days on our new program and eventually lack of sleep, a back log of emails, voicemails, school uniforms to have fitted, homework to get done and the usual stuff of life caught up with me.  I had reached my personal tipping point; that place where we feel as though we are going to physically explode, volcanic eruptions of frustration and even tears ensue and once released we can continue on though sometimes, like said volcano, we leave a trail of debris in our wake.  Fortunately everyone was spared ‘Suecular War’ because I have learned to recognize the signs that I am reaching my limit.

                For me, I first feel the tipping point approaching in my body.  Everything becomes a physical effort.  Next my day to day routine becomes a chore and the things that normally do not bother me become restrictive and burdensome.  To feel this way is human, to be able to see the warning signs is truly an indication that you are connected with your very self.  It took me years to get here and I am not always perfect however on this occasion I caught myself and took the following steps.

                When we know that we are reaching a high degree of stress the first thing to do is admit it.  Simply let the people around you know that you are stressed and it doesn’t have anything to do with them.  The second step is to create a planned oasis.  This could be a day off, a massage, a walk in silence, reading a fiction book or going to lunch with a friend.  Having something to look forward to is essential.  Lastly, know that all human beings have a specific carrying capacity for stress.  For some, like the Dalai Lama, this capacity may be so large that he never experiences it in this lifetime.  For others, like my four year old, it may be so small that the tiniest thing sets her off.

                As human beings we are able to whether incredible things.  When exhausted, undernourished or experiencing the sensation of being alone, it is easy to go into overwhelm or anger as a default mechanism.  Recognize when you are heading down that path and follow the steps above.  Life is really full of amazing experiences and wonderful opportunities if we simply allow them to happen.

                Despite my airline fiasco, there have been worse – Cambodia springs to mind, I happily ensconced myself on an Air Canada 747 and enjoyed the luxury of a personal movie screen, watch the chick flick followed by an episode of Sex InThe City and absolutely relaxed.  Luggage is replaceable, a couple of hours watching Jennifer Garner and Ashton Kutcher fall in love...priceless.  At the end of this week I will be enjoying my hot stone massage, the stress of travel, less than four hours of sleep every night for a week and a deluge of work a distant memory.

Susan Sly is an author, trainer, entrepreneur and mom.  She believes that we can all achieve 360 degree success without sacrifice.  To see Susan live at an upcoming event click here.