Woman Finds Out How Awesome it is To Help Others


When I first watched The Secret movie it rang so true that it felt like I already knew it, but I hadn’t put it all together. I have continuously experienced great things just by being grateful for everything, by envisioning what I want and by being a careful observer.

Most recently while traveling a night flight from Boston to Phoenix I was one of the first to board because I had paid extra for a better seat up front. On the same flight a year ago I was lucky enough to be the only one in my row so I was able to stretch out and sleep during the trip. All day long I had visualized the seats next to me being empty so I could enjoy the same luxury. While placing my luggage overhead I heard an older woman behind me asking the flight attendant if she could sit in one of the front rows. It was explained to her that those seats cost extra and she quickly snapped back that she’s a little claustrophobic and needs to be up front. I continued getting settled as they kindly explained that they could move her but she’d have to pay extra to which she replied harshly that she couldn’t afford it. As the rest of the passengers boarded my delight grew while people passed but no one sat in my row. I repeated to myself how amazing visualizations can be. The attendant announced everyone was on board, that we would be leaving after a few minutes and requested that we all finish using our electronics before they shut the cabin door. I was happy knowing that my wish was granted but my mind flashed back to the old woman. I thought of how uncomfortable it must be for her to be in the back and feeling trapped. I couldn’t possibly enjoy all this extra room knowing that she was suffering. I got up and walked to the same attendant who had spoken to her. I explained that I wanted to pay for the lady who was claustrophobic to be moved to the seat in my row, but they would have to promise not to tell her I paid for it. The attendant grinned at me and said she’d take care of it.

Helping-Others-Shoes

After several minutes the older woman was ushered to my row and seated. We only spoke briefly but she seemed very happy and that filled my heart with more joy than sleep ever could have. And the evening seemed to fly by.

Towards the end of the flight the attendants were going around charging each person’s credit card for their food and drink. I waited for them to stop at my row but they seemed to have missed me. Finally the same attendant I spoke to stopped at my aisle seat and leaned down near me as I held out my credit card to her. She didn’t take the card. She spoke in a very soft tone as she said that she wanted me to know that on behalf of the entire crew she was to thank me. She added that what I did was the nicest thing any of them had ever experienced while flying, and that they were all inspired by it. She ended saying that not only were they not going to charge me for her seat, but they wanted to pay for my food and drink themselves, to thank me.


I felt so honored and so filled with love that I could barely speak. I whispered back “Thank you!”

It was such a wonderful and loving experience and I’m amazed that so much joy rippled out just because I OFFERED to do something kind.

About Diana R. from Phoenix, AZ:

I’m a positive thinker, a business woman, I’ve lived in many different areas of the US and I travel across the country a couple times each year.

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