“I’ll be more enthusiastic about encouraging thinking outside the box when there’s evidence of any thinking going on inside it.” ~Terry Pratchett
I’m sitting in a hotel room. It looks exactly like the one I was in last week. That idea simultaneously comforts and disturbs me. I could be anywhere. Seriously, take a look…Photo tour (pictures of Dallas, TX aside). Yet when I checked in this morning, there was a difference: the person working at the front desk (Jimmy). His attitude pulled me out of what I call my “travel apathy” (if you say it really fast, it’s one word). You just said it 3 times, didn’t you?
He noted that I’d been a guest here several times before. He welcomed me back. I responded politely (that’s travel apathy). Finally, he asks, “What do you do that allows you to travel so much?” I gave him the 30 second, canned version (what’s it called? Yep…travel apathy). He gave me a great big smile and said, “That must be so much fun! AND you get to travel.” Suddenly I felt like I owed him more than polite responses, because he was connecting, being real, being human. And…he knocked the travel apathy right outta me! I was actually reminded that I love what I do, and that’s why I do it. I expanded on my response and allowed myself to connect. May not seem like much to you, but I’d left for the airport at 5 AM, and I prefer to only see 5 in the PM.
Jimmy reminded me that I’m here for a reason. He reminded me. And I guess Mr. Marriott is not just blogging (Home), he’s inspiring. One of his employees is making a difference.
So who will you inspire? One person can make a difference. You won’t always know the who, what, when, where, how and why…but you will inspire. Go for it.
