Robert McCandishmarble was a flight attendant.
He enjoyed his work.
Sometimes.
The travel was great.
And most of his co-workers were fun to work with.
What bothered him most were the people.
Some could be rude, thoughtless, demanding, selfish and ill-tempered.
And in recent years, the 'some people' seemed to become 'many people'.
He was thinking of hanging up his wings while walking through Chinatown in San Francisco during a layover.
Without any intention of doing so, he turned off Grant Avenue into a small dark alley that appeared to be the dead-end of nothing.
However, it did house a small shop that seemed to beckon him inside.
The shop was empty except for an ancient Chinaman sitting behind a plain wooden table.
On the other side of the table was an equally plain wooden chair.
Without any greeting, the old man beckoned Robert to sit.
As soon as Robert had done so, the Chinaman pulled out a beautiful blue stone from inside his right sleeve.
Again, without speaking, he pushed the stone and a silver chain across to Robert.
At first Robert was hesitant to pick it up.
He thought perhaps the old man was trying to sell him the stone.
When the Chinaman noticed Robert's hesitation he said in a high pitched, heavily accented voice, "Please to put it on.
Your father requests that I give it to you.
" Robert became even more suspicious.
"My father is dead.
" "Yes...
to you.
Hold the stone in your hand and look in my eyes.
" For the first time Robert noticed how black the Chinaman's eyes were.
And as he looked into them, they seemed to increase in intensity.
Suddenly he found himself being swept into a whirlpool of darkness.
Then he heard these words that seemed to be spoken from far off, "Wear the stone.
It will transform your anger into words of peace.
" And suddenly Robert was back on Grant Avenue without any memory of having left the old man's shop.
He would have considered the entire experience a weird lapse in consciousness except for the blue stone that hung around his neck.
He was still puzzling over the strange experience the next day as passengers boarded his flight out of San Francisco.
A fat mean looking lady entered the plane and immediately accosted Robert.
"Young man, I want to sit in first class.
My robust figure does not fit well in those cramped coach seats.
" Robert's response was immediate.
"Lady, if you wanted to park your fat butt in first class, you should have bought a first class ticket.
" But by the time his angry words passed his lips he heard himself saying, "I'll be glad to see what I can do when everyone is boarded.
If you'll find your seat in the coach section, I'll get to you as soon as I can.
" The woman actually smiled and moved on.
As soon as the plane reached cruising altitude, Robert was summoned by a pompous man wearing a rumbled business suit.
"When will our meal be served? I haven't eaten since this morning and I need my meal as soon as possible.
" Robert replied, "Tough, creep.
We don't serve meals on this flight.
And if you want a snack, you have to pay for it.
So if you were stupid enough to book this flight without checking about meals, you can sit there and cramp for all I care.
" Instead, Robert's words came out as, "I'm sorry sir.
There are no meals served on this flight.
However, I'll bring you a snack as soon as possible.
" "SNACK!" the man yelled.
"I said I wanted a meal.
Do you know who I am?" Robert replied.
"Frankly, I don't have a clue about what rock you crawled out from under.
But if you don't know who you are, I'll be glad to inquire around and see if anyone knows the pompous ass in 12C.
" Instead the words came out as, "I'll be happy to check the galley and see if anything is available.
I'll be getting back to you.
" This seemed to satisfy the man and he nodded a curt thank you.
This went on for the entire flight.
Whenever a passenger annoyed him he didn't hesitate to invite them to leave by the rear door.
Parachutes were available for an extra fee.
It was an amazing experience.
He was free to express his anger and frustration...
and did so.
But somehow, without any effort or intent on his part, the words came out polite and in accord with company policy.
Instead of feeling angry and upset at the end of the flight, he was relaxed and totally at peace.
He was so relaxed that he even enjoyed standing at the exit door, bidding passengers a warm goodbye.
And for the obnoxious passengers he would add, "And I do hope you fall flat on your big ugly stupid face the moment you step off airport property.
" But, of course, the words always came out as, "Have a nice day.
" Robert loved it.
For the first time in years, he really began to enjoy his job.
When he thought about it, he realized that it was more than being able to tell any difficult passenger where they could get off.
It was the idea that he was also doing a suburb job.
He had become a master at handling the most challenging situation.
Praise in the form of letters and comments began pouring into his personnel file.
Other crew members were turning to him for help in handling unreasonable passengers.
In fact other flight attendants considered it a plum assignment when they were booked on a flight with him.
He just had a knack for making even difficult flights go smoothly.
Months later, Robert again found himself walking down Grant Street in San Francisco.
Quite without intending to do so, he turned into the alley of the old Chinaman and sought out his shop.
It was still the same.
Except when Robert entered, the old man bowed a greeting before gesturing for Robert to take the chair.
When Robert sat, the ancient Chinaman put out his hand.
"Please return blue stone.
" "But I can't," Robert replied.
"It's turned my job around.
" "Yes...
but no longer necessary.
" "But how will I control my angry thoughts and frustration?" Robert protested.
"How many angry thoughts did you have today?" Robert thought for a moment.
"I don't recall any.
" "And how many right words did you speak?" "I guess they were all right.
At least everyone seemed to accept them.
But that was the blue stone speaking for me.
" "Yes, in the beginning that was so.
But the stone only spoke words you already knew.
Anger clouded them from memory.
Now anger no longer speaks for you.
You speak with right words and actions.
Someone else must now wear the blue stone.
" Reluctantly, Robert took the chain from around his neck and placed the stone in the old man's hand.
"Thank you," the Chinaman said with a slight bow.
"Your father wishes me to say he is proud of you.
" With that, Robert again found himself back on Grant Avenue.
He felt for the blue stone but it was gone.
He already missed it but knew in his heart, as the ancient Chinaman had said, it was no longer necessary.
Success Lesson: Anger and frustration cloak right words and action.
Learn to deal with challenging emotions so the right stuff speaks for you.
© Doug Grant, 2010