Yesterday I flew through the heavens in a plane I’ve always idolized. I will admit, I was nervous when I climbed into the cockpit. What if we crash? What if I have to bail out? What if I puke? What if… My fear melted once the wheels left the ground. I yelled, “YEE HAH!” as the P-51D Mustang leapt into the sky.
I didn’t die. I didn’t have to bail out. And I didn’t puke. Instead, I had a blast.
Fear is so toxic. If I had found an excuse to not climb into that cockpit, I would have cheated myself out of one of my life’s greatest experiences.
I’ve always said fear is the devil walking the earth. I’ve struggled with it in the form of doubt, depression and inaction. I’ve feared change and that kept me safely tucked in my comfort zone. And at times, it still does.
My challenge today — and tomorrow and the next day — is to take on that fear. To do things that make me a little uncomfortable. To stand up for what is right even if I worry about the consequences. I need to push against the walls of inaction. I need to cross my bridges of doubt and burn them. It’s time to embrace the new, lean into it and own it.
The pilot of the Mustang, Dan Fordice, told me about a 94-year-old World War II veteran who flew with him. His family was worried he might die in a plane crash. The veteran replied, “I’ve lived 94 years. At least I’ll die happy.” That was a man who knew how to live. I also met an 87-year-old man who still is a pilot.
Those men aren’t just alive. They’re living.
That’s the attitude I want. To get my fear out of the way and to truly live. That’s my mission on a sleepy Sunday morning.
Well said Marshall!