Words From The Window Seat
Friendly. Upbeat. Positive.
Those are just a few words that most people would use to describe flight attendant, Taylor Tippett. And that's just a few of the qualities that make her so good at her job. But here's the thing about really upbeat, positive people that you may not realize — they have bad days too. Even the most chipper person you know sometimes feels down and insecure.
Taylor was having one of those days when she came up with an incredible idea that is getting her a lot of attention.
She says,
"I was on the back of a plane early in the morning before a flight last year just thinking and beating myself up about a lot of things. I realized I was being so harsh and mean to myself, and so I started journaling to work through my thoughts. I then noticed a small composition pad my instructor had given me, and I realized I wanted to do take this moment and do something with it — to encourage others with what I was going through.”
Realizing just how far a few words of encouragement can go, Taylor decided she would leave anonymous slips of paper with uplifting messages for her passengers. And that's when #wordsfromthewindowseat was born.
The first message she wrote and left was, "Be kind to yourself." And from there, it snowballed.
To keep the unsuspecting passengers from guessing who's behind the notes, Taylor takes a photo of her messages taped to the window, but then removes them and puts them into the safety cards in the seat pockets for the passengers to find.
“Since passengers are supposed to read the safety card, it’s nicer because they’ll realize it was intentionally left there just for them.”
Taylor is hoping that those who follow her photo series on Instagram, as well as her blog, will be inspired to get out there and try new things.
“Life can be so dark and heavy, but trying new things and going new places puts so much into perspective and encourages you to live your life full and free.”
And as for those who receive her nuggets of optimism, Taylor is just hoping they bring a smile and lift the reader's spirits. She says that the messages she writes are inspired by the conversations she has with those she meets and are intended those who may be facing obstacles or having a rough day.
"I just want people to know that no matter what they’re going through, they are loved and their story and voice matters. At the end of the day, these may be just silly notes on the window, but if they can find hope to fight or smile and realize they’re not alone, it’s all worth it.”
Inspiration can come from anywhere! What will you do today to encourage someone else?
"Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing." 1 Thessalonians 5:11
Here’s another story you might like about a young man helping a man with special needs.
Credit: ABC News
h/t: Little Things
Featured Image Credit: Instagram