In 2023, we launched the Stoic Collection, a trio of essential oil blends inspired by the core tenets of Stoicism: Tranquillity, Wisdom, and Grace. I was so excited to express the essence of this powerful philosophy through scent.
In Japan, my business partner, Kiyo, and I were traveling across Japan to launch the collection in our major stores. After a wonderful launch in Yokohama, we were flying from Tokyo's Haneda Airport back to Osaka. Kiyo made sure we had time for a quick bite—a crucial step for avoiding my ‘grumpy pants’, if I did not have food in my tummy, as we were not expected to get home until after 8pm. We were feeling quite content, calm and prepared as we headed to our gate.
What followed was a cascade of unexpected events. A last-minute gate change sent us to the other end of the airport. We arrived just in time for boarding, only to find no one was boarding. An hour passed with no announcements. At this point, my patience began to fray, but I took a deep breath and reminded myself of our new blend, Tranquillity. Be calm, Sal, I told myself. These things happen.
Finally, after a 90-minute delay, we boarded. Just as we were about to take off, the plane’s lights went out, plunging us into darkness and an eerie silence. My anxiety skyrocketed. I looked at Kiyo and said, ‘I think we should get off this flight.’ She calmly looked at me and said, ‘Don't be silly, everything will be alright’.
At that moment, I thought of our Wisdom blend. I thought about the airline's impeccable safety record and reminded myself that my fear was not based on fact. I trusted my ‘wisdom’ and we stayed on the plane.
The rest of the flight was a series of unexpected twists. We were informed we’d be landing at a different airport, which meant a long train ride back to the other airport to get to our car and a very late night before we got back to Kyoto. The anxiety crept back in. I had our last Stoic Collection launch the next morning, and I wanted it to be the best! My mind started racing with worry about being tired. Think of Tranquillity, I told myself again. I focused on staying in the present moment, rather than worrying about what might happen.
We finally landed just in time at our original destination. As we prepared to walk off the plane, all the flight crew stood at the front of the plane and one by one, as we all walked off the plane, they bowed deeply, expressing their sincere apologises for the delays and inconvenience. Their gesture incredibly moving.
All my anxieties and frustrations melted away and I was left with a profound sense of Grace.
In that moment, I realised that true Stoicism helps us to deal with our own reactions to adversity—and it is also about extending Grace to others. The flight crew's demonstration of genuine humility was a powerful reminder that our journey isn't just about arriving at our destination; it’s about how we decide to react and navigate the bumps along the way.
By the way, the next day, we had an incredible launch in Kyoto. All the attendees were deeply moved by how our essential oils could help them embrace Stoicism in their own lives, reminding them of the power of Tranquillity, Wisdom and Grace in the face of life's unexpected turns.
