Thoughts Along the Path . . .

While booking tickets for a wintertime getaway, John and I noticed that our flight from Toronto to Panama City was via Newark and our return flight was via Houston. What we did not notice - until too late to make changes - was that after Houston we would have a layover in Chicago’s O’Hare airport from 12:30am until 7am. Frankly we weren’t looking forward to an all-nighter in one of the world’s busiest airports.

When we arrived at O’Hare, we were surprised to find it quiet. A security staff member told us that there would be neither arrivals nor departures through the night and that a few coffee shops would begin to open around 4:30am to prepare for morning flights.

We found ourselves in a vast space, lights dimmed, temperature lowered, and a few other people wandering around or in a seating area trying to rest. It was like a ghost town, though I felt more like a zombie than a ghost.

Soon afterwards we heard singing - a strong, impassioned voice, similar to the opening of “The Lion King.” Beyond language, beyond words, it was so pure that it seemed to come from the very core of the person singing it. Throughout the night it happened with no particular pattern or point or origin, and each time I was thrilled by it.

A couple of hours into our stay, I saw a woman working alone while she cleaned mirrors and glassed-in areas. She looked so serene, so focused on her work, I felt certain this was the same person. I didn’t want to ask her as that seemed invasive. She might not have been aware that her voice was heard by others, much like a person who smiles or laughs from their own thoughts. My impression was that she was communicating contentment, fulfillment, joy, and a sense of peace. And that helped me feel peaceful and relaxed, too.

I realize this is a long explanation about a small thing. And yet, it might be more than just a small thing. I don’t know this woman or if my recollection is accurate or typical for her. But it has stimulated many thoughts and questions, some of which may resonate with you, too. What brings contentment and fulfillment to me and how do I express that? How do any of us inspire or help others in large or small ways, perhaps without even being aware that we are doing so? Given that John and I booked our flight without looking at the details, what else do I overlook? And when a situation looks bleak, what might be the gift in it?

Thoughts such as these bring many possible answers. Looking for succinct ways to express some of these thoughts, I found this quotation from Jon Kata-Zinn, professor of medicine and known for integrating meditation with science: “The Little things? The little moments? They aren’t little.” Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, famous for his Sherlock Holmes stories, said: “It has long been an axiom of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important.” Looking at everyday language, we have the word “serendipity” to account for discoveries of the hidden good in an event or situation.

Those are some of the ideas that help to explain my reaction to that evening. So why my desire to share them? One insight comes from German poet and philosopher Johann Wolfgang von Goethe: “"A joy shared is a joy doubled.” And here’s another one, this time from the Baha’i writings: “Man can receive no greater gift than this, that he rejoice another's heart.”

All of this put together explains the joy I sensed in her voice and why I want to share it. If indeed “the best things in life are free” then this is even better than a pay-it-forward coffee at Tim Horton’s.

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Submitted to Ayr News by Jaellayna Palmer March 2026