What a strange concept flying is.
And a fascinating one at that: this hunk of metal effortlessly soars through the atmosphere, carrying hundreds of people all over the world.
Before takeoff, I realize that I am in the same place as before, but with all people I've never seen before, most of the time. (The past couple back and forth flights I've had from Seattle and Spokane, I have recognized or have run into old friends from high school or from college now. With this being a common occurrence, I am even more ready to get out of the country and serioulsy be stretched and challenged not in my comfort zone. In times of discomfort and uncomfortability, I tend to find the constants in my life -- that one constant is God. In fear of becoming numb in my life, I truly do not want to be comfortable. Thankfully, though, I will have the opportunity to study abroad, which I believe will be the most challenging experience, yet most rewarding of my life.)
On the way home for Thanksgiving, I was discussing this thought with a friend on the plane - beacuse the lives we lead as college students are so selfish, in that you only have to worry about yourself and are not necessarily anyone else, unlike living at home where there are chores and each person much pull their weight to help the house run smoothly, we get stuck in a rut. The rut is that we forget about the outside world. We get caught up so quickly in our personal problems that our minds and eyes are shut off, for the most part, to the 7 billion other people in the world.
Cool thing about not only being in a plane, but just being in the airport is that you see people you've never seen before and will most likely never see again. It has sometimes been shocking to me because it's sad how quickly we forget about others and we fall back into our routines and schedules and try to stay afloat for the next couple months until we're back in reality.
So, for me, flying is such a great time and place for reflecting. My mind begins to wander as I look out the dirty window that thousands have looked out. As soon as the word 'airborne' rings in my ears, I watch the ground beneath me, that was moments before surrounding me, become bigger and bigger. I start to feel smaller and smaller.
And no matter where I'm flying to or from, the world is so much more beautiful ful from thousands of feet above the earth.
Where do you sit?
The aisle or the window?
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