Flying Upside Down

“It is not because things are difficult that we do not dare, it is because we do not dare that they are difficult.” ―Seneca

When you step out into the unknown, there will be fear encountered both real and imagined. A few years back, many of us attended a couple's retreat in the North Georgia mountains. The camp had what is referred to as a challenge tower, four stories high and with various climbing obstacles to overcome.

During that retreat, a friend by the name of Belinda conquered something greater than the tower that day. She accomplished it in ways that you can not imagine. In fact, I think what she overcame that day was fear. In doing so, it set her up to overcome years later a brain tumor.

You can read about her miraculous story by picking up a copy of Bwenna - A Story of Hope and Faith.

Overcoming her fear of climbing prepared her for the fear that could grip even the heartiest of us when a doctor says the word cancer.

It could be fear of failure to reach the top or fear in your own physical ability to accomplish the climb. It could be that "step off the platform" for the zip line ride that grabs hold of you. For others, it may be the fear of simply reaching the top and being so high up in the air.

It was during this same event that I watched in amazement as another friend scaled the tower with little problem. She had reached the top and quickly we all learned that she had a fear of being so high. It caught me by surprise, but she had conquered it. She conquered that thing which holds her from moving forward in life. She had let go of fear and created the path to achieving so much more in life.

For me it was a certain fear of not being able to make the climb. After watching so many others ascend and questioning my own ability; fear was beginning to creep in. Yet I made that step forward; actually up the tower. My focus became the goal, my focus became ensuring my wife made it to the top, my focus was to overcome.

Once achieved, everything became much more clear to me. It seemed to me that my ride down the zip line was now the reward. Stepping out from the platform, taking the ride upside down was the only way. Flying upside down, everything was crystal clear to me at that moment.

Take a chance by stepping out into the unknown. Let go of the fear and know that even if you find yourself flying upside down, everything will be clear. Enjoy the ride!

Stay inspired my friends.

Flying High

Given angel's wings, where might you fly?
In what sweet heaven might you find your love?
Unwilling to be bound, where might you move,
Lost between the wonder and the why?
~Nicholas Gordon

The cruising altitude of a large commercial airline is anywhere from 23,000 to 41,000 feet above sea level. It varies based on a lot of conditions. Westbound flights will travel in the even numbered altitudes and of course eastbound the odd numbered.

I find it amazing to this day that such a large aircraft can lift off the ground. In example, a Boeing 757 weighs in around 240,000 pounds and achieves lift at 160 miles per hour. It just amazes me but the laws of aerodynamics were never my strong suit in school.

Flying high above the clouds always tends to inspire me. It reminds me of how much achievement we have the potential for. The "sky is the limit" can reveal itself while viewing the pillow top clouds. All one has to do is turn your eyes up to see infinite space.

Our lives have potential beyond the tallest skyscrapers. We can go higher then the clouds into the thin air and vastness of space. All it takes is movement in our life. All it takes is removing the gravity of self doubt we place upon ourselves.

Believe in your ability to soar higher. The view is wonderful, the feeling is even greater. Fly higher then you have ever imagined in your life.