Hi Friends!
Long title, huh? Are you ready to hear about my grand adventure last week? It was CrAzY amazing! I felt like Indiana Jones, and the entire time, I was singing this song in my head:
I went flying in a tiny plane, just like Indiana Jones! My cousin Joe flew the plane, and Mark and I rode in the back. It was a tiny plane on a very windy day, so it was a bit bumpy. By “a bit”, I mean my stomach flopped every couple of seconds. It made for a more authentic and adventurous experience, I think. Of course, it’s easy to say that now that I’m back on the ground 🙂
Beyond being a thrill, I learned some valuable lessons about life during my experience. Here are the highlights, photos and all (ooh la la!):
1. Enlist the support and encouragement of loved ones.
Mark (my wonderful husband) beside the airplane we flew in.
I was definitely a bit nervous before the flight, and it was great to have my husband, cousin, aunt, and uncle nearby cheering us on. I was able to talk myself into believing my nervousness was actually excitement in disguise 😉 As you are taking risks in your life, it’s great to have a support group to encourage you along the way.
2. It’s good to have an idea of where you’re going, even if you don’t know how you’ll get there.
Airplane Navigation Screeen
How do you use this thing? Heck if I know! So many times in life I’ve had a vision for where I want to go and no clue how to get there. Sound familiar? Thank goodness all we have to do is hold the vision and a way will be made for it to happen, one step at a time.
3. Sometimes it’s best to keep your eye on the big picture.
View from the airplane flying north of Dallas.
I found that the only way I was able to be in the plane (on a windy day) without feeling sick was to look out the window at all times. If I turned to look inside the plane for even a second, my eyes, brain, and stomach all felt like they were rolling in different directions. I just kept repeating to myself, “I am one with the plane. I breathe with the plane.” It did make me feel more calm. See? Affirmations come in handy! Life can be bumpy, and sometimes we just need to look at the big picture instead of focusing on daily ups and downs.
4. When you don’t know what you’re doing, enlist the help of experts.
My cousin (and pilot) Joe.
My honey has taught me a lot about being okay asking for help as I’ve been building my business. As you’re creating your ideal life, focus on your strengths. If you come to an area you aren’t strong in, don’t waste your time, get someone who is an expert in that area to do it for you. In the case of my Indiana Jones flight, Joe and Bobby (on the right) were great at flying us around safely and making sure we were okay throughout the flight. Bobby would turn around to us every once in a while and give us a thumbs up, asking if we were okay. That’s when I’d stop my serious, I’m-just-trying-to-survive-here face and give him a big smile and thumbs up.
5. Rest when needed to stay grounded.
On the tarmac after the flight. That’s not my hairstyle, that’s the wind 🙂
When we landed, I basically flopped out of the airplane and immediately plopped down on the tarmac. My legs were SO thankful to be back on solid ground. I sat there for about 10 minutes before attempting to stand again, and I still felt wobbly then and for several days later (while on a very tall escalator and when watching scenery pass quickly by on a train). Taking risks has big rewards, but it’s also good to create balance by experiencing the peace that comes with being on solid ground.
