Flying

In one direction, it looked like you could step off the plane and run across the soft, pillow clouds. It looked like you could run straight into the setting sun.

In the other direction, you could look down and see through the clouds. You could look down and see the topography of an alien planet called Utah.

I'm not quite sure why, but whenever I fly, my mind is always able to relax, meditate and contemplate life. Flying scares me just as much as it mystifies me.

When I fly, I appreciate the risks involved. Granted statistically speaking one has a greater chance of dying in an automobile accident, but the thought of tons of metal falling from the sky is always a million times scarier.

But I love to fly anyway. I love it because I love to travel and it takes me to new and exiting places much quicker. I love it because I gain a whole new perspective of the earth below and the skies above.

It also makes me think of everything else I do that scares me. At times, I think I have an addiction to fear. Maybe it's the addiction to my racing heart. Maybe it's the addiction to conquering something. I'm not quite sure what it is, but I tend to do things that scare me all the time. I take risks despite the potential for harm.

In my life I have found by conquering or pursuing the things I fear the most, I have gained more than I have ever imagined. I have learned things I never knew I didn't know.

Now, I can't claim to have never been burned by sticking my hand in the flame. More times than I'd like to admit I have been burned. But that's where the learning comes in.

For those times I have not been burned, I have found the greatest joys and the best adventures of my life. I have experienced life. I have connected with people on many levels. My heart has been filled.

And so, I continue to climb mountains. I continue to precariously walk across rocks with narrow ledges and certain death if I miss a step. I continue to ride on metal flying machines. I continue to run until I don't think I can run anymore. I continue to pursue my dreams even when I have to endure nightmares.

I put myself in harm's way and risk everything I have for the things I want most in life because that's what we are put on this planet to do. We are not meant to merely exist. We are meant to push ourselves. We are meant to see, to hear, to feel. We are meant to fly.

There is more to life than what is safe and secure. You learn a lot more about yourself and life from throwing away what is safe and secure. You learn more by leaping off the cliff and growing your wings.