As I wrote the title, Defying Gravity, for this week's blog I wondered what would come to peoples mind as they read it. Would the assumption be that a woman of a certain age is probably planning an intervention to defy the powerful pull gravity has on the human figure? Not that thought hasn't crossed my mind, but no, not seeking gravity defying/restoration procedures anytime in the near future.
What is going on this week is that I am traveling to New Orleans tomorrow for a conference. When you need to get to a place that is too far to drive, you take a plane... that is where the defying gravity title comes in. I fly quite a bit these days, but I am still not comfortable with the idea of shooting into the air, being propelled by highly flammable jet fuel in the hopes of landing, safely, on what appear to be two very, very small sets of wheels, at your destination. There is perceived risk in this mode of travel and as with most things in life, perception is much more powerful than reality.
I worry about the people who have to sit next to me when I fly alone. I try very hard to be sophisticated, especially when I get upgraded to first class. They do frown on screamers in first class so much more than in coach. In coach you can blend in with the masses, so if you happen to hit an air pocket and let out a bit of a scream you simply close your eyes and face away from everyone. Nobody, or very few people at least, will know who caused the brief commotion.
Fortunately, I have the screams pretty well controlled, it is the inadvertent grasping of my neighbor that I need to work on. I feel like I am the only one this happens to, we can be flying along, very smoothly and then it happens UT (unexpected turbulence). Immediately and without hesitation I will grab my neighbors arm. It is like my hand has a life of its own and tries to abandon me when faced with a fearful situation and attach itself to a more stable individual.
What this "issue" has taught me is that deep in the heart of every flyer is this fear. You know how I know? Nobody ever gets mad at me. I always apologize right away and inevitably they smile, say they understand and they hardly ever change seats.
The last flight I was on I was sitting next to a lovely young girl, she must have been about my daughters age. We hit some bumps and my infidel hand went flying over to her arm and latched on. I pulled my hand back and apologized sincerely, but a moment later the plane hit more turbulence and I had grabbed her arm again. I just looked my seatmate and shook my head and you know this sweet young girl said? She said, "that's okay, you can hang onto me if it helps."
My mission during my travels this week and on my journey to fifty is to work on shifting from the one who needs holding to the one who holds.
Before signing off for the week I wanted to let you know that all updates regarding lifestyle changes will be suspended until after February 14th. Because of the risk of air travel it is important that when I board the airplane, I have recently consumed some of my favorite foods, avoided rigorous exercise and am well rested for what could possibly be the last day of my life.
What is going on this week is that I am traveling to New Orleans tomorrow for a conference. When you need to get to a place that is too far to drive, you take a plane... that is where the defying gravity title comes in. I fly quite a bit these days, but I am still not comfortable with the idea of shooting into the air, being propelled by highly flammable jet fuel in the hopes of landing, safely, on what appear to be two very, very small sets of wheels, at your destination. There is perceived risk in this mode of travel and as with most things in life, perception is much more powerful than reality.
I worry about the people who have to sit next to me when I fly alone. I try very hard to be sophisticated, especially when I get upgraded to first class. They do frown on screamers in first class so much more than in coach. In coach you can blend in with the masses, so if you happen to hit an air pocket and let out a bit of a scream you simply close your eyes and face away from everyone. Nobody, or very few people at least, will know who caused the brief commotion.
Fortunately, I have the screams pretty well controlled, it is the inadvertent grasping of my neighbor that I need to work on. I feel like I am the only one this happens to, we can be flying along, very smoothly and then it happens UT (unexpected turbulence). Immediately and without hesitation I will grab my neighbors arm. It is like my hand has a life of its own and tries to abandon me when faced with a fearful situation and attach itself to a more stable individual.
What this "issue" has taught me is that deep in the heart of every flyer is this fear. You know how I know? Nobody ever gets mad at me. I always apologize right away and inevitably they smile, say they understand and they hardly ever change seats.
The last flight I was on I was sitting next to a lovely young girl, she must have been about my daughters age. We hit some bumps and my infidel hand went flying over to her arm and latched on. I pulled my hand back and apologized sincerely, but a moment later the plane hit more turbulence and I had grabbed her arm again. I just looked my seatmate and shook my head and you know this sweet young girl said? She said, "that's okay, you can hang onto me if it helps."
My mission during my travels this week and on my journey to fifty is to work on shifting from the one who needs holding to the one who holds.
Before signing off for the week I wanted to let you know that all updates regarding lifestyle changes will be suspended until after February 14th. Because of the risk of air travel it is important that when I board the airplane, I have recently consumed some of my favorite foods, avoided rigorous exercise and am well rested for what could possibly be the last day of my life.
I'd say you "hold" just fine, you are right in there with the best of them!
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