It's Spring and Easter. That is making me think of New Life, what has been and what can be. Life is indeed a journey and adventure. I'm convinced it really is whatever we choose to make our mind up about it. It's either as great or as bad as I choose to believe it is. It's either do or do not. I'm the Captain of that choice. That's the memo I got and I'm sticking with it.:-) I tend to choose to seek moments of genuine gratitude with each day because I see the journey itself is an adventure!
I believe an important part of the recipe for happiness is identifying, over time, what serves you and what does not. That which does not serve should go to make room in your focus for what can be. Also, finding the things you are passionate about in Life. One found, do more of it! For me, flying is a unique passion I have found that truly Wows me. Not many things Wow me to the degree flying does and I love that I have chosen to have it be a part of my Life. One of the best decisions, Ever!
In an age where we are inundated with distractions and stimuli, it takes extra effort focus and intention to be truly present. Flying does that for me and it energizes me. Flying pushes me far beyond the status quo of everyday mediocre life which I love, hones in all my focus and senses for that time and I feel a super charge of vitality after each and every flight knowing I was part of an incredible experience. It keeps me on my toes, on high alert, and leaves me with an abundance of gratitude and satisfaction reflecting on my growing abilities and skills.
Something I really value about my Flying Adventures, and this applies to Life Adventures, are the goals I achieve. I love when a want, just a tiny spark of a thought, becomes a reality through intentional actions. In flying, that manifests when I think to myself that I'd really like to fly to a particular FBO. It may not happen for a while, but if I've got the want in my mind, I'm eventually going to do it when the time is right. This is not a unique recipe pertaining only to me. I know you can relate and hope you sonic boom, as I do, when each goal is lived out.
So, talking passion let me share with you a recent fantastic flight I had with my CFI on Wednesday, 4/1/2015, in Virginia. It was a exciting example of one of my flying goals achieved. It's funny how the mind works. When I was thinking of where to fly, I was leaning towards flying into airports I've been because I really like the coastal routes. Also, there was a hint of wanting to stick with what I knew versus traveling into the unknown, but then I came to my senses!:-) Thank goodness my "been there done that" radar was buzzing and a strong urge to stretch and explore took charge. New FBOs it was, made my mind up to expand my experiences and made it happen. I felt a lot of satisfaction after this flight as it was a flight I've been wanting to do for a while. I have the good sense to appreciate the great, but I fully embrace my nature and desire to stretch and experience more because that serves to enhance me in Life in more than ways than one. I truly see and appreciate the connection of my varied learnings, experiences and perspective serving me greatly in fueling my creativity, innovative thinking and ingenuity in my professional Life, too.
Come join me by enjoying a few pictures and videoes I captured! Note: Any pictures or video I shot was during positive exchange where I was not flying. Safety first, always!
A whole lot of flying cheese -Smile - face here! Blue skies, two new FBOs to fly into and the 152, now that's what I'm taking about as a recipe for a great day.
Ready or Ready?!
Upper right: Preflight smiles with Matt.
Lower right: My post flight smile and my FBO New Kent Aviation in the background.
The Route: Flew from W96 (New Kent)-7W4 (Lake Anna) -KLKU (Louisa) - then along the James River near downtown Richmond as we headed back to W96.
Enroute to 7W4 Kings Dominion is a good pilotage reference point.
Lake Anna 7W4. One of the shortest/narrowest runways I've landed. Good time! The shortest and narrowest I've landed so far is Hummel W75. I highly recommend you fly into that airport if given the opportunity. It is beautiful! Tip: If you are interested, like me, in collecting your Virginia Aviation Ambassador stamps then stop by the mailbox off of the parking area to get that self service stamp. Luckily for me, Matt pointed out the stamp was probably in the mailbox. Roger that, it was so I didn't leave without it. If you know me and my flying, I'm serious about getting my stamps :-)
Next up was Louisa airport KLKU. Much longer runway. I always find it extra fun landing on a longer runway when I've just come from a really small one. It makes me really appreciate how long the runway is in those instances. Great welcome at KLKU by the owner Greg. He hooked me up with my… Wait for it… Wait for it… my stamp! :-)
Enroute back to W96. Here's a shot of my Stratus. I love the combo of my ForeFlight and Stratus. Being a student pilot and learning, it's without question that I'm first and foremost learning the fundamentals without such tools. That being said I still value having them as secondary points of reference.
The trip back was one of my favorites! It was truly special seeing places that I walk around from high above. Like many aviation lovers, my eyes can't help but look up to the skies when I hear the sounds of an airplane nearby. It was amazing enjoying this flipped perspective. Now I was the one flying by, just how I've wanted!
Here we see the James River!
It was neat to see the vibrant red spider on the field of University of Richmond. Another great pilotage reference point.
Traveling along the James River, soon approaching very familiar spots. Exciting!
Here's a cool shot that Matt took of Pony Pasture. This is so cool because I go fishing around here and spot familiar points.
I love this view of the bridges and Richmond ahead!
Flying over you bridge! :-)
Neat to see all the rocks down in the river and the city.
Sweet Richmond city shot! I like the reflection off the wing. Way more fun to fly over these roads versus drive them. Fact!
The familiar sight of New Kent airport. I can see my car from here! :-)
Here are two videos with some tunes that I created. Check them out for a more animated experience of this great day of flight!
- Two of my three takeoffs captured on
- Flying over the James River, Richmond,
I hope you enjoyed this flying adventure with me through the pictures and video shared. I agree with doing more of what makes you happy. Flying makes me happy, so time to do some more!:-)
Finding your passions and doing more of the things that make you shine is a gift I've found in a few things, including flying. I hope you find it yourself, too, because the world benefits when people shine bright.
Every great adventure has a beginning, middle filled with ups and downs, and a grea end. For the times you find great happiness them, cherish them and do more of it! In times you go through challenges and we all do, power through and learn more about your strengths, what you like and do not like. For sometimes it is through those challenges you given a gift of You-Turns to redirect you on a greater path. You are stronger than you think!
We are all unique individuals here to live out our story. There's a reason we are here. It is my hope for myself, as well as others, to find purpose. That purpose may morph over time, but do what you can to find and align to what makes you shine brightest, by your own standards. As the famous by Howard Thurman:
“Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”
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 Sparrowrose
Choose to be the greatest version of you. Encourage others to be their best version. You never know just who's watching and being influenced by your actions. Why not Inspire? I dare you!:-)
Happy Adventuring, Always!
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