Procrastination in Moderation
I am the opposite of a procrastinator in most areas of my life. (Laundry is a major weakness.) I've learned from this past trip that procrastinating would actually be a benefit for me.
Overlooking the Wild Atlantic Way.
cliffs of moher lookout
Sure. Laugh at me when I say I packed two weeks ahead but don't laugh when I tell you that I memorized terminal maps and watched Youtube videos on how to catch terminal trains.
I was coping.
You see, one of the layovers we had was in Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL). Up till last month, it was one of my most hated airports because of my traumatic past experience. The last time I'd gone through ATL, the terminal train broke down two minutes into the ride and I had to run the span of two terminals to catch my flight. Did I make it? Barely. The doors were reopened just for me and I remember telling myself, "Never again."
So, of course I was going to do everything in my power to prepare for the inevitable. Terminal maps. Train routes. Distances. Times. Velocity. Circumference. Everything. I believed I was fully prepared for my ATL experience 2.0.
Except I had not prepared for one thing.
The grounds of the picturesque Kylemore Abbey in Connemara.
We landed in ATL an hour before our next flight and jumped right off, following signs down the escalator to the terminal train. It arrived in less than a minute and our ride took all of two minutes. We arrived at our gate within 5 minutes.
I had not prepared for the best.
In all the consuming anxiety, I forgot the possibility that nothing would go wrong. I forgot the good outcome.
It was a good way to start the trip. To realize that I can be prepared to be surprised by goodness.
"I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living!"
There is an art to memories. A dash of preparation stirred into a pot of unexpected. Without enough, memories are bland and boring. A little too much and memories become bitter with the disappointment of a failed plan.
Find that balance. Procrastinate in moderation. Create beautiful memories.
This is a second in a series of travel posts from Ireland and London in memory of all good things Anthony Bourdain. Our journey began with the news of his passing. He was one of my first and favorite travel icons and touched so much of this planet with his wonderful narratives and explorations. Here's to honoring the joy of travel, food, culture and life which he clearly passed onto the world.
