Wheels Up

Everyone knows the most dangerous part of flying is taking off and landing. In both, there is a precarious, lingering moment when the front wheels are off the ground but the back wheels are still touching the ground. This is pivotal - the shift from steady ground to taking flight and the return to stability again. This is the part of the flight that people are most nervous about. People often grip the armrests, pray, hold the hand of the person next to them, sleep, or distract themselves with music or games. Anything to calm their uncertainties between the shift in stability and risk of taking off and heading somewhere new. 

We spend a lot of our lives in this position - on the cusp of launching into new endeavors with an anchor to the familiar. The lingering moment of anticipation right before our dreams take flight. A complex instant  of questioning, "How is this going to go?" "Is this the right moment to make this transition?" “Have we taken all the necessary steps to prepare for this journey?” and, of course the instigator of all doubt: “What if it fails?”

As nerve wrecking as it is, this is the moment that really counts. The moment where you exercise faith in your readiness and the value of the risk that you’re taking. It has worked every single time in the past but the tiny jittery feeling at the pit of your stomach is still there, reminding you this could fail. 

It is probable that during takeoff on a plane, a flight attendant  will say "we apologize for any turbulence". But, truly, it is as inevitable on a plane as it is in life. We can't do amazing things without experiencing some shifts, some bumps, some unexpected moments. It is these moments of shifting and holding faith through the turbulence that develop our character and strength and open the doors for the next steps. And you learn to trust your sense of distinguishing between typical challenges along the way and absolute failure. You’re not going to crash every time you wobble a bit. 

The next time you’re facing a major transition in life and you reach that moment when you have to decide to stay in your comfort zone or lift off into something new, embrace that tingly pause where uncertainty lives,  remember the risk is always worth it and the uncertainty is temporary. Hold on, say a little prayer, turn on some good music. Then, wheels up!