Who's Flying Your plane?

One of the true joys of traveling, that is, before the days of being nearly strip-searched when boarding an airplane, was that moment when all of the planning, excitement, anticipation, and packing finally ended, and we settled into the seat of a big jumbo jet, ready to depart on our grand adventure. When I was very young, and took my very first plane ride for the short hop from Memphis, Tennessee to Jonesboro, Arkansas you would have thought I was headed out on an African safari. The thrill was palpable, and I've never tired of flying, even going so far as to earn my private pilot's license later in life.

As we strap ourselves into the seat and feel the jet engines finally come to life, how many of us have leaned back and concentrated on the journey that is about to begin, perhaps forgetting entirely about our journey of “planning” that just ended?

And, have you ever thought about the “journey” of planning that also just ended for the pilots up in the cockpit? It would become very evident if the pilot's voice was to come on the plane's intercom and happily intone: “Good morning, everyone. Welcome to our airline today. We're about to depart, and we ask that you keep your seat belts securely fastened during our departure. We're going to be flying around for a couple of hours this morning, and before we leave, my co-pilot and I wondered if there are any requests for possible destinations. Or, maybe you'd just like to cruise around and land back here at our home field. In just a few moments, the flight attendants will be passing out pencils and small slips of paper. If you would vote on your favorite landing place, we'll collect and tabulate the results. As soon as we have that done, I'll be back to let you know where we are going.”

My guess is that it would take you about 10 seconds to unstrap your seat belt and get off of that airplane...fast, perhaps never flying with that airline again. Am I right? If I am correct, and if you would vacate that plane immediately, I'm going to guess that it's because you don't want to fly with someone who just clearly has no clue as to where they are headed...someone who is willing to take a vote from a group of strangers and let that vote determine where they are headed. Scary isn't it?

So, just how much more scary is it for you to have no destination in mind for your own life? How scary is it to gather the input from total strangers, or even well meaning friends, and allow that input to determine where you are headed...today...tomorrow...or over a lifetime? Do you really want to be around people who glibly admit that they have no goals or destinations in mind? This is especially true if you depend on them for something, be it employment, faith, family...anything. We want the authorities in our life to have goals and convincing ideas. As the authority on our own lives, why should we be any different?

If we go back to that airline captain for a moment, it's true that his destination has been pre-determined by the airline company. However, all of the other skills that came together when he and his or her co-pilot took their seats at the front of the plane, were used in the planning process that culminates in landing you and your fellow passengers at your intended destination. It didn't all just happen accidentally. Neither should your life. The pilot spent years in training and in actual practice to be at this point. You depend on their skill. You depend on them having checked the weather en route. You depend on them knowing emergency procedures and being able to employ them reflexively, if needed. I could go on and on about the preparedness that we take for granted in others as we fly our own path through life.

The same concept applies to so many of the things that we do, from elevators that work as we expect, to traffic that flows according to certain rules. There's so much that controls how we go about our daily lives, but there is nothing that controls your final destination...except you! Your mind...your goals...your desires...these are the only things that control where you will end up in life. Make it a goal today to become your own “Pilot”. There is no way that this means you should bully or push your way along in life. Nor does it mean that you should disregard the rules that society has put in place or the value system you were taught as a child. If you think of those things as the guard rails on a bridge, then you will see that they don't hinder the destination on the road you are taking. They simply indicate the limits, beyond which you might get hurt, or even killed. However, if you plan your own destination, gather your own information, take advantage of the training opportunities around you, and prepare yourself for the success of achieving your goal, you will be much happier once you arrive.

And, I can assure you that the trip will be far more enjoyable!