Lessons Learned from Lost Luggage: Sometimes You Just Gotta Laugh!

Everything happens for a reason. Right? Well, that’s the motto I live by. It may or may not be true for you, but it works for me. It helps me put things into perspective and see everything in life as a learning opportunity.

As some of you already know, I went on a Mediterranean cruise with my family a week ago. It was me, my boys, my mom, my sister and her family, my nephew, and my brother-in-law’s brother (that’s 10 people just in case you want a head count!). I have always wanted to take a trip like this, so I can’t tell you how excited I was – especially about showing my kids a part of the world most people never get to see!

We flew from Detroit to Toronto. And then Toronto to Barcelona, Spain. We’re waiting at the baggage claim. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 bags arrive. Then the conveyor belts stops. Uh-oh. Not good!! Anyone who has lost their luggage can relate to the “pit in your stomach” feeling that you get when you realize your bag didn’t arrive. Yep. It was mine. Everyone got their bag but ME.

So I marched over to the lost baggage office and filed a report. They said it would arrive two days later at our first port. Nope. Then the next port. Nope. Then the next. Nope. Then I just called and told them to send it back to Detroit. They assured me it would arrive the day we got back. Nope. And do I have it yet … almost a week later? Nope.  They have no idea where it is. Huh. Interesting. Not sure how that happens in this day and age when everything is electronically tracked. But it happened!

The reason I’m telling you all of this is because I had two choices: (1) Let it ruin my trip, or (2) Laugh about it. I chose #2. How did I laugh about it? I just did. I cracked jokes. So did my sister and family. It was simply a decision. It could be either tragic or funny. It was better for me to choose funny.

I think the reason this happened is so that I can “practice what I preach.” I frequently teach and write about changing your thinking and attitudes. Well, now I was being put to the test.

I still had an amazing vacation. Do you know why? Because there are A LOT worse things that can happen. Sure, I’m not happy that I packed all my favorite clothes in that bag (lesson learned – don’t do THAT again!). But at least we are all happy and healthy and have great memories. Yes, even the “lost luggage” memories are good. Because in retrospect, it makes for a better story that way. Right? :)

On the even brighter side, I also came up with a lot more to write about in my blog because of this experience (not that I am ever at a loss for something to say!). So keep your eye out for more “Lessons Learned from Lost Luggage.”

Love & Light to all!

~Carol

P.S. To anyone reading this – don’t fly Air Canada!! Well, unless you want YOUR luggage lost too so you can practice laughing in the face of unfortunate mishaps. HA! :)

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