Life has a way of knocking us all down in one way or another. Whether we are unable to do what we love or desire because of finances, health or mere circumstance, there always seems to be a purpose for the challenge. And at the end of the day, we realize the way was certainly worth it.
At Angle of Attack, our entire team has been having experiences like this recently.
This is a story about getting back in there, taking the opportunities that come up, and live life with passion and purpose.
I can only relay an experience I had several days ago. Here it goes:
I moved to Alaska in August of 2010 looking for a new start. This new start would be in a quaint coastal town with one stop light, awesome people that still wave to each other on the street, and breathtaking views and a whole lot of character. City life couldn’t be anything different from this peaceful place.
Having had a lot of flight time behind me, I was now in a position where I didn’t really have an avenue in which to get any flight time at all. There was a large possibility of a lull ahead for me.
I have a great room, where most of my ‘living’ is done. My office is here, the TV and a couch, and the kitchen. But the biggest feature of this room are the very large windows that look out over the entire bay.
In the summer months, when Lake Beluga is thawed out, float plane after float plane come roaring over my house on their way to land. It’s pure torture!
Finally, after 9 months, I finally got an opportunity to get some time. I’ll be flying in a 1964 Cessna 206, learning while my instructor flies glacier, fishing and bear viewing tours.
(Click Image to see full size)
The aircraft is aged, but you could call this age wisdom. She sure flies true!
This was also my first experience in a float plane, and the operations are very interesting and different. The aerodynamic features of the aircraft are also quite different.
(Click Image to see full size)
On this particular flight, we fly out over Kachemak Bay and flew over to a glacier that is part of the Harding Ice Field. The Harding Ice Field is the largest in North America, surprisingly, and it’s on my back doorstep pretty much.
(Click Image to see full size)
Charlie, my instructor, has given me the wonderful opportunity of trading time in the aircraft for my time in his office, taking appointments and walk-in’s as I work on AOA stuff… all on the shores of the float plane lake.
I stumbled across this opportunity by simply taking a chance, walking in his door, and inevitably hitting it off and ‘hanger talking’ for several hours.
(Click Image to see full size)
Now here we were in this epic and rugged landscape, with the sensation like we were scraping our floats on a color blue that can only be seen here in Alaska, nestled in the crevasses of a glacier.
Reaching from the edge of it’s own ice melt, now in the form of a lake and on the shores of the ocean, there was no end in sight to this ice that is undoubtedly thousands of years old.
The hum and pound of the engine. The pulling of the G-forces. The astonished expressions of the passengers. The flashing sun through the prop. The moving gauges, heavy controls, and the feel of the mic on my lips.
Nothing outside of these moment matters when I’m in the air.
(Click Image to see full size)
The moral of the story is this:
Life is going to throw some curve balls. It’s going to happen. It’s just a matter of time. You’re not going to be able to do what you love all the time, but if you hang in there, and keep the passion alive, you’ll get in a moment where everything makes sense.
At that moment, all the patience and hard work will pay off.
Whether you are struggling with family life, work, money or health and anywhere in between, hang in there! Keep motoring forward. Take the opportunities that come and let your light shine.
And as I say often; Throttle On! Those two simple words have very deep meaning for me and perhaps they will for you some day too.
Throttle On, my friend, and keep the dream alive!
Please note: We reserve the right to delete comments that are snarky, offensive, or off-topic. If in doubt, read the Comments Policy.
