Chasing Horizons: A Journey Worth Taking
If we were the pilots of our own flight of life’s fulfillment and meaning, would the Universe choose who would accompany us on our journey?
Let’s see. There would be a flight crew, a co-pilot, passengers, the occasional hijacker, terrorist, and a ground crew that would keep us safely soaring through the sky. We would round out our crew with that incompetent navigator who can’t seem to read a map – but we love her anyway because she surprises us with never-ending detours.
With luck, our flight will be a long one, but many stops must be made along the way. As we soar through the skies of possibilities and destinations, some of those who share our journey will leave us. They will be dropped off at various airports to seek their own adventures, and we will continue on our odyssey with newcomers and our favourite remaining passengers. And, of course, there will always be those annoying hangers-on who will refuse to get off.
Those Intriguing Short-Haul Passengers
Some of those on board are short-haul passengers: making us laugh for a few moments, teaching us to cherish memorable acquaintances, and sharing their wisdom. They will remind us of the importance of appreciating different cultures and traditions during the brief time we spend together.
Children will find mates of their own and board their own transport. Parents may cease to exist physically, and partners may decide your journey is no longer one they wish to share. Those nasty hijackers and terrorists may temporarily force us to deviate from our intended itineraries, but our trusty ground crew will set things right and have us on our way once again.
Sometimes there will be adversaries among our passengers. As the lionhearted pilot, we will equip them with parachutes and, with a quick farewell, send them on their way – perhaps with a gentle push. This will allow them to embark on their own escapades.
Long-Haul Passengers
These frequent flyers are composed of compadres, confidantes, supporters, admirers, dependents, adversaries, competitors, and tormentors.
As we travel, we will discover that our planet is massive, its people complex, and that life outside our familiar sphere can sometimes be strange, messy, but always enlightening and wondrous. Our wanderlust will lead us to hidden gems, pursue unexpected opportunities, and take us on unscripted sojourns in stopovers we never imagined ourselves in.
When our layover is done and it is time to board our departing flight to our next adventure, we will take with us a deeper understanding that our interpretation of how life should be lived is not the only way. Our horizons expand, and misunderstandings diminish, with open minds and a healthy pursuit of knowledge.
Unexpected Routes
Life’s flavours are found in the spices of unexpected routes. If we do not follow these diverted flight paths, we may regret the adventures that could have been. We were either in too much of a hurry or too afraid to make the stop. Those who took the chance and landed will have astonishing stories to share for a lifetime. Their quests will be magical!
Hope You Had a Pleasant Flight
Eventually, we will say goodbye to our fellow travellers, but their participation in our journey will be remembered with laughter, tears, affection, passion, battles won and lost, and exhilarating moments. Their presence in our odyssey was necessary to complete who we are.
We Packed It All and It Was Worth It!
Experience as much as we can pack into our flight: joy, grief, danger, outrageous fun and, above all, friendships. Lots and lots of new companions and intriguing encounters, creating memories to nourish our souls. We should not avoid the unknown but face happenstances head-on.
Nothing stays the same, nor should it. Assemble a freewheeling itinerary with lots of holes. Take calculated risks, enjoy the journey and take Robert Frost’s advice: take the road less travelled.
Also read, Lost Your Compass in Mid-Life? Join the Virtual Kitchen Table.
Let’s Have a Conversation:
You are the pilot of your own flying machine, and the controls are in your hands. Where will you go today?
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Nice article – fun to read. My son is a pilot in the US Air Force. I just attended the funeral of my godfather yesterday. I related very well to this article. Thank you.
Loved your article Wendy!
Life is a journey!
Your’ve done quite a good job of describing my life!
’40 plus addresses’,a ‘few’ relationships, and 45 plus different types of employment. Yes there’s been stress, instability, physical and mental difficulty plus a lot heartache 😥.
There’s also been much joy in experiencing new areas that I called home; walking along the Peninsula and feeling the sand between my toes. Discovering fresh mountain areas and discovering new ways to keep warm. Meeting so many people, including working alongside different cultures where I learnt so much. Different personalities with their own stories.
Out of all this I believe nowadays that ive gained a peaceful wisdom, in that the difficulties I faced were in fact a gift. I am grateful for my ‘patchwork’ life.
Or, you can go beyond the metaphor and actually learn to fly. It’s really fun! I took lessons. It gives you quite the perspective on life.
Well done Janel! Do you have your license? I have a girlfriend who had her own little Cessna and loved flying. For medical reasons, she had to give up her license. Not one to wallow in self-pity, she is on to new adventures.