Oh the airport. What a place to trigger anxiety and impatience. I showed up with ample time to make it through security and get to the gate. But before I arrive at security, there it is ... THE LINE! My thoughts begin, "Which path should I choose?" "I don't want to be behind her." "Don't want to seem pushy." "How many bins does this guy need." "Hurry up, hurry up." And suddenly, out of nowhere, "Hey, you are on crazy auto pilot man, take it easy." 

I realized that this moment was a great place to practice concentration. Come back to the breath and come home. So I started over. Noticing impatience, sure. Anxiety, of course. But also acceptance. I can't actually make the line go faster. I have time and everything is going to be okay. 

Now let's remember that I still have a cold. I remember hearing about this, but flying with a cold is a crazy experience. The pressure in my head was slightly off for most of the ride. When it was time to descend the pressure in my ears grew to a tremendous pain. I felt like gouging my ears off to release the tension. I was afraid that my ear drums would burst. And there it was again, "You're not going to die. Come back to the breath." So I sat and was in pain, and breathed. And noticed. The pain increased and it decreased. It was sensation, just sensation. And finally, after 25 minutes (!) it passed. I still feel like my head is a hollow melon, but I was grateful for the practice.