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by Donald B. Ardell, Ph. D.
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Airport Security: My Plan To Decrease Wait Times, Increase Safety, Promote Weight Loss And Render Screening More Interesting (Encore)

Saturday February 9, 2008

Robert Benchley famously noted, "There are two kinds of people in this world: Those who divide the world into two kinds of people, and those who do not."

Like many popular expressions, this is quite ridiculous, but it sounds good. Name one person you know or know of who so divides the world! What possible either/or division could anyone defend? Crazy or sane? Superstitious or not? Saved or doomed? There are always multiple variations, subtleties, choices, gradations and so on. Not even male or female holds, given that some are not so happy being one or the other. Thus, not even this bifurcation is sensible.

There are far more than two kinds of people in this world. There are millions if not billions of different kinds of people, all things considered.

Still, I thought for a moment about Benchley's comment the other day while making travel arrangements for an upcoming speaking tour in Europe (Austria and Germany). At first, I was of two minds about the adventure. I wondered how I might avoid becoming less fit or even unhealthy during my travels and, on the other hand, how I might organize things to enable improved levels of conditioning.

The first concern was about prevention strategies; the other with deriving maximum satisfaction and joy from the adventure. As usual, the life enrichment choice seemed more promising.

To travel well, I considered the following questions:

What immunizations, if any, are in order?
What is the best way to become as physically fit as possible for the journey?
What healthy routines can be planned during the trip?
Will it be difficult to find healthy choices?
What can I do now that might make it easier to minimize stress later, during the journey?

George Eliot wrote, "Our deeds still travel with us from afar and what we have been makes us what we are." (Middlemarch, 1871) Just so, George. Wherever you are, don't put on airs. Be yourself. I resolved to keep this in mind.

I know that despite advance travel plans, not everything ahead will be under my control. This includes weather, chance encounters, and so-called acts of god. Few people today literally believe that god or the gods do hurricanes, floods, tsunamis and other catastrophes, except malevolent televangelists who profit from the easily fooled. Believers prefer to blame a devil for unpleasantries. Most wisely acknowledge that random things just happen. Gods and devils aside, there is one thing that could be done in this era of Islamic terrorism that would make air travel safer, more enjoyable and more interesting - that might also lead to health advances on a global basis.

Be well, take it off and always look on the bright side of life.

Domain: purpose
Subdomain: humor

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