Maybe Life isn’t Meant to Take so Seriously

Receiving inspiration for my daily blog is serious matter to me. Thinking that I needed to make this day’s blog to be one of encouraging those who are in pain physically, or mentally from the loss of their job, special events or even the loss of a loved one, I scanned my social media timeline. I wanted to see who I could pray for and who needed an encouraging word. I was ready to pour on some liquid love.

But, you know what? I couldn’t find one woe-is-me post. It was the day after July 4th and, literally, all I saw were family and personal celebrations of life – fireworks, little children all dolled-up in their July 4th best attire, beautiful photos of Mt Rushmore with the Navy Blue Angels flying over and the words of gratitude for our country and for each other. So, today, I’m jumping on that “Happy Train”, too! That’s what we need. We need to look up and look out at our blessings. We need to appreciate the humor and the joys of this very moment. Often, it’s the small things that matter the most anyway and the little inspirations we get from the off-roads – like the email I received from my friend telling me about South Africa’s Kulula Airlines.

So, today, I’m going to jump on that “Happy Train”, too! That’s what we need. We need to look up and look out at our blessings. We need to appreciate the humor and the joys of this very moment. Often, it’s the small things that matter the most and the little inspirations we get from the off-roads – like the email I received from my friend telling me about South Africa’s Kulula Airlines.

Kulula Airlines is an actual low-cost South African airline that doesn’t take itself too seriously. It’s a pity Kulula doesn’t fly internationally. We should support them if only for their humor. Check out how their jet is even wrapped in humor!

On a Kulula flight, you sit where you want — no assigned seating. Passengers seemed to be having a hard time choosing their seats, when a flight attendant announced, “People! We’re not picking out furniture here, find a seat and get in it!”

From a Kulula flight attendant: “Welcome aboard Kulula 271 to Port Elizabeth. To operate your seat belt, insert the metal tab into the buckle, and pull tight. It works just like every other seat belt; and, if you don’t know how to operate one, you probably shouldn’t be out in public unsupervised.”

And from another attendant, while giving the upfront safety tips, the flight attendant said: “There may be 50 ways to leave your lover, but there are only 4 ways out of this airplane.”

On another flight with a very “senior” flight attendant crew, the pilot said, “Ladies & gentlemen, we’ve reached cruising altitude and we will be turning down the cabin lights. This is for your comfort and to enhance the appearance of your flight attendants.”

As the plane landed and was coming to a stop at Durban Airport, a lone voice came over the loudspeaker: “Whoa, big fella. WHOA!” “As you exit the plane, make sure to gather all of your belongings. Anything left behind will be distributed evenly among the flight attendants. Please do not leave children or spouses.”

Another flight attendant’s comment on a less than perfect landing: “We ask you to please remain seated as Captain Kangaroo bounces us to the terminal.”

An airline pilot wrote that on this particular flight he had hammered his ship into the runway really hard. The airline had a policy which required the first officer to stand at the door while the passengers exited, smile, and give them a “Thanks for flying our airline”. He said that, in light of his bad landing, he had a hard time looking the passengers in the eye, thinking that someone would have a smart comment. Finally, everyone had gotten off except for a little old lady walking with a cane. She said, “Sir, do you mind if I ask you a question?” “Why, no Ma’am,” said the pilot. “What is it?” The little old lady said, “Did we land, or were we shot down?”

Well, that’s it for this “Happy Train….rather Happy Plane” blog for today. I attribute this entire blog to Psalm 17:22 “A merry heart does good, like medicine.” So, you’re welcome. Take your “merry heart” medicine and spread God’s joy to someone today. This one did me good. I hope it does good for you, your outlook and those who you spread the joy with today!