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Flying First Class

Many, many moons ago, I was flying first class with my daughter. She was a mere four months old. I remember this trip and her age vividly for a few reasons. The first is because I got the evil eye from everyone in First Class because, of course, I had a baby and what if she cried, etc. The second is because I was a nursing mom. I also had the art of covering myself down to a tea. I was shocked when, supposedly, a customer of the airline complained about my displaying too much breast. Please keep in mind this was 1998 in the U.S. Any other country or even current day would not have even brought this up. I later found out that it was one of the flight attendants who had made the comment. The third reason I remember this is because I was asked by the person next to me what my husband did that I could fly first class. Are you kidding me? I was very cordial and polite when I stated—oh this, this is me. I own my own business and also hold a high ranking position at my company. You can just imagine the look. Again, remember this is 1998.

Fast forward to this past month. There was a woman within my circle who was deciding whether or not to fly first class. She did and guess what? Things haven’t changed much. She was asked what her husband did so that she could fly first class—oh and yes, with her newborn baby.

If you’ve never flown first class, may I let you know that there is a difference behind the curtain. The drinks, food, nice headsets and even seat massagers on some flights really make a difference in the flying experience. For some people, it probably doesn’t matter. For some people, it is merely the appearance of “I’m in First Class. Take Notice.” In my case, it simply meant I flew enough miles that I was always getting upgraded at no charge. Pay for First Class? Not me. N to the O. It’s nice behind the curtain but not “that nice” for my typical 3-4 hour flights. If you want to pay for it, though, go for it!

But what about the fact that still, to this day, there is a belief that it could not possibly be I who had earned this, but rather it must have been something my husband earned? I can still almost feel resentment just thinking about it.

Maybe things haven’t changed as much as I thought.

How do we shift the paradigm?

How do we shift the judgment? The assumptions? The voting?

Friends, this really isn’t just about First Class. It’s about why we believe the things we do. It’s about why stereotypes continue. It’s about the transference we put onto other people. It’s the stake of not listening. It’s the stake of not seeing. It’s the stake of humanity.

I am voting that humanity needs a massive paradigm shift right now. It starts with each of us. It’s about listening and seeing each other as a human being. It’s about not making someone else wrong to make ourselves right. It’s about having compassion and empathy even we don’t fully understand. It’s about being with one another. It’s about seeing the potential in each person. It’s about loving one another.

It’s about being a human being. And our humanity IS at stake.

Blessings, Peace and JOY—

-Deb

Blessings, Peace and JOY – 

-Deb