As an amateur aircraft and paragliding pilot, I like to search for parallels between flying and various life aspects. My amateur status provides a unique perspective, a novice's enthusiasm for various aspects of flying that to an experienced pilot are simply standard procedures.
Resilience lies at the heart of any endeavor that involves inherent risks, and flying is certainly one of them. Unlike driving a car, where if your vehicle breaks down or the weather deteriorates you can pull over to the side of the road, in the air you have to continue your journey while looking for ways to land the plane safely.
Accepting Reality: Embracing Turbulence as an Inherent Part of the Journey: As a pilot, you inevitably encounter turbulence, strong winds, low visibility. This represents the reality of life's challenges. A resilient individual, like a skilled pilot, understands that turbulence is a part of the journey and remains composed, making clear-headed decisions under pressure.
Finding Meaning: Navigating Through Turbulence with Purpose: Your flight plan symbolizes your life goals, and landing the plane represents the successful navigation of life's challenges. Finding meaning in your journey, including the turbulence, is essential. It’s about recognizing the purpose of each leg of the journey, even when it deviates from the original plan.
Improvising: Adapting to Unforeseen Circumstances with Resourcefulness: In the moments where visibility is low and the path uncertain, a pilot must rely on instruments and be ready to implement emergency procedures. This adaptability is crucial, as it allows them to navigate through unexpected challenges and safely land the plane. A resilient individual, like a resourceful pilot, draws upon their skills, support systems, and available resources to navigate through difficult situations.
Preparing for Headwinds: Building Resilience Through Training and Support: Similarly, a pilot prepares for headwinds through comprehensive training and leveraging support infrastructure, like air traffic information and fellow pilots’ expertise. You, too, must build skills and a support network of friends, family, and colleagues.
I find this metaphor captures the essence of resilience as I understand it. It's not merely enduring challenges but understanding, finding purpose in, and skillfully navigating them.
Does this metaphor resonate with your understanding of resilience?
Picture: Landing in Buttwil, May 2023
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