Adventure: Stop Dreaming and Start Doing!
July 13, 2009
My flying adventure has officially begun! Do you remember when I shared my New Beginnings story with you, that I was determined to get airborne again? Well, this goal is easier said than done as it requires the one resource I lack: disposable income. I have the determination, ambition, skill, and judgment… but none of those will pay for a plane, or flight lessons.
For a while, after writing that post, I was pacing like a caged tiger. It is SO frustrating to want to fly and not be able to. In fact, it is a little like having a phantom limb. Have you ever heard of that? It’s when someone has lost an arm or a leg, but their brain still thinks it is there… still imagines using and feeling it. Well, I have phantom wings. My brain doesn’t realize it’s been ten years… it remembers nearly every flight I took like it was yesterday. My brain thinks I can take to the skies again, like getting back on a bike.
But I can’t. It doesn’t work that way.
There’s a lot more to flying than takeoffs and landings. In fact, it’s the other stuff that keeps most people from ever getting past the Student Pilot stage… it’s the rules, regulations, navigation, weather charts, and other interesting tidbits that pilots learn in ground school. Those are the first level of screening to determine just how serious you are. Well I’m serious. I learned this stuff before, I can learn it again, by golly.
“Life is not a journey to the grave one takes with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty, and well-preserved body. Better to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, ‘Wow! What a ride!!!‘”
The first time I did this, I was 18 (and my dad was financing it). I did all the ground lessons, flight lessons, solo flights, and written, oral and practical exams in nineteen days! I flew three times each day, and spent the rest of the time studying. I went on to get my Commercial license, Multi-engine and Instrument ratings, during my college vacations.
Things are a little different now. I’m a bit older, and I lack the financing or free time to do this the “instant gratification” way that worked so well when I was a kid. This time I’ll have to do it the patient way… the way my dad did when he learned how to fly.
That’s OK. I’m patient… and thanks to my dad, I’m resourceful. I found an online ground school that offers many of the lessons for free, and the rest of them for a small fee. This is where my new flight journey will begin. I signed up right away, and started my first few lessons.
No more excuses.
Until I have the money to fly, I’ll spend my time in ground school. This way, when I do get back in a plane, I will be able to make the most of the time I’m paying for with an instructor. She won’t have to go over all the basics again.
“A dream without a plan is merely a wish.” Is that the way the saying goes? Well, I have a dream, and I have a plan. I’m past the stage of wishful thinking.
What about YOU? What dream have you been putting off for lack of a plan? When will you stop wishing and start doing?
Thanks!!!
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Posted in Overcoming Challenges, present moment, simplicity, Spirit of Adventure
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Honestly, do you believe in the Law of Attraction? You see, after I retire in about 4 years I plan on learning to fly, and now Tammy gets me to meet you, then BAM you are showing me a website with free learning materials…
This is what I am talking about, the life I want coming to me….
It’s cool that you starting learning to fly at such a young age, I have wanted to do if forever but knowing I couldn’t afford my own plane has stopped my from trying. Not any more, today I will schedule the time in to start learning to fly…
.-= Jim Gaudet´s last blog ..Costa Rica Sunset | July 12 2009 =-.
Thus proving the old adage, where there’s a will, there’s a way. This is something that you really wanted to happen, and so you found a way to make it work. I’m so happy for you, for finding a way to pursue your dream, and I’m proud of you for finding a way to make it happen!
Whatever I can do to help, just let me know. I’m happy to help. Just to prove that I’ve been watching waaaay too much Disney Channel over the past few weeks…we’re all in this together
Hooray! I’m glad you’re on your way to flying again. Dreaming can be gratifying but not nearly as much as actually doing it. This is so cool, I’m sure you’ll keep us posted. Learning to fly again is such a great symbol for fulfilling dreams, it’s perfect.
.-= David Cain´s last blog ..100 Years Hence =-.
Wow! From those of us too intimidated by the mind boggling array of dials in front of you, congratulations (from the back seat) on moving from planning to doing, with your dream and thanks too for the swift-kick-in-the-behind reminder that we all need to do the same in our own ways.
.-= matt´s last blog ..for whom do you speak today? =-.
Wow! I just woke up and already I’m behind on comments today. That’s what I get for being a lazy bum! Let’s see if I can get caught up here…
@ Jim: Well, despite a recent failed experiment with the lottery, I do believe in law of attraction. I believe the things you want the most will eventually find a way to manifest themselves… if they are meant to be. That’s the tricky part, ’cause I really thought the lottery was meant to be so I could pay for these lessons and maybe a plane. Oh, well.
As for YOU flying, four years is a perfect window. You can spend that time doing ground school, written exams, getting your medical and student license. I don’t know how close you are to Pavas airport, but that’s a great place to learn to fly. The next time I’m in Costa Rica we’ll make it a point to meet out there so I can introduce you to some of my dad’s friends… maybe they can help us cut some corners. In the meantime, though, that ground school is fantastic. I paid the $47 for full access and I’m loving every bit. (By the way, I’m not affiliated or making any money from these guys, just liking the product.
@ Jay: Indeed… which is why this morning I woke up thinking about Eddie’s Attic and how to get us there as quickly as possible. Have you checked their calendar? Find anything you’d like to see? We have the will, so there must be a way!
@ David: You’re absolutely right; I’ve been dreaming far too long… and it was mostly frustrating and disappointing. Now that I’m DOING, I can almost taste the freedom of soaring in the skies. Sometimes I’ll sit here and listen to the control towers at JFK or LAX (at http://www.liveatc.net/), just to practice hearing, writing, and reading back flight instructions. I’m a little rusty, but getting better every day.
Time to spread those wings!
@ Matt: For the record, most of those dials are merely decoration. In any plane, there are really only six instruments: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flight_instruments and the rest are just there to make pilots look cool.
Neat story about THAT plane, though… it was Robbie Gordon’s Falcon Jet (you know, the NASCAR driver). And those two guys in the red shirts are standing in front of Ray Evernham’s hangar. We were in North Carolina visiting a pilot friend whose gig was flying that Falcon, so he took us on a tour of Robbie Gordon’s shop and for a spin in the plane. I’m in the right seat ’cause he was trying to convince me to become one of their copilots!
Lisis,
I love you to death. What is going to be hard about my new found friend is having the time to get over here to read all your wonderful writings. Forgive me when I don’t. I might be a week or two behind but I will make my way back over.
I have a plan. You learn to fly again and I will let you pilot me around the world jumping from airplanes! Now….that is living. I say go-for-it. You know Lisis, just because we grow up, become a mom and become busy with everyday responsibilities doesn’t mean the world around us has to stop. I have found with my children that the more adventurous I am the more challenges they place upon themselves. I love it!
You go for it!
.-= Tammy-Cricket´s last blog ..I wish, I wish… =-.
Tammy, you are absolutely right about that. I used to think I would have to wait until Hunter was grown to get back to my “adventurous self”. Now I’m finding that the more adventurous I am, the more he comes alive and gets curious and excited about life and its infinite possibilities. I was actually doing him a disservice by suppressing my wilder side.
We’ve had a lot of mini-adventures since Hunter came along, but we’re about to step it up a notch. I still need to write the post about it, but I intend to publish it next Monday. (That’s a hint, so if you don’t have time to read ALL the posts, you will read that one.)
Put off dream? Writing a screenplay.
Started doing and stopped wishing? About 5 weeks ago. Wasn’t on my list of 2009 objectives, but I just said to hell with it. Let’s get this sucker crackin’ right now!
I’ve had to get creative (not only re finding money but also finding time) and this post served as the perfect reminder that maintaining creativity requires a consistent and vigilant effort.
Thank you!
.-= Nelia´s last blog ..Saturday Pillow Talk : Keeping It Fresh =-.
This is exciting! I tend to be a dreamer and this post is a great reminder for me to stop dreaming and start doing!!
.-= Positively Present´s last blog ..what lies beyond greatness =-.
Good Luck to u Lisis, though u r hearing first from me here but i am a regular visitor to your lovely blog since few weeks. what i best like abt it is its regualrity abt the posts.though your writings r no less appealing n thought provoking.u must be congratulated for creating such a good place to exchange our feelins n ideas.so pls KEEP WRITING…..Regards to u.
Manish Agarwal
india.
“Wow, what a ride!” I love that entire quote. A dream I’ve put off is to write a book! I wrote an entire novel once, hated the end results and burned it. I want to begin another, but starting a piece of writing is often the hardest part for me, so maybe I should start it at the end and work backwards??
Great blog!
Karen
Nelia and Dani… consider this your official notice to stop dreaming and start DOING!! What the heck are you kids waiting for? I promise you, the doing part is more exciting than the dreaming part, so come on over to “the other side” with me.
Hi, Manish! I would say welcome to Q4B, but it sounds like you’ve been here for a while… so welcome BACK!
I am so glad you are enjoying the blog because it has been such a great thrill for me to get to share my writings and ramblings with all of you. At first, when I copied my first few entries from my personal journal to the blog, it was pretty scary… moreso than learning how to fly!
But now, my readers are an intrinsic part of the process… you are my inspiration. Knowing that someone out there is reading keeps me constantly motivated to write content that might help, or at least entertain, those who have come along for the ride. So thank you, for reading and for letting me know you are here.
You go, girl! You inspire me! This is a beautiful blog post; you speak to so many who have dusty dreams in their attics which need to be taken down, dusted off, and put to good use again. Great job!
Julia
Hi, Karen! Isn’t that a cool quote? I had actually written this post already when a friend of mine from Junior High (yeah, Fabian… YOU) sent me this quote and said it reminded him of me. I had to scold him for suggesting I was “thoroughly used up and totally worn out,” but then I had to admit, the quote does fit me rather nicely, so I added it.
I wish I had some advice for you about your book, but the fact is… I have yet to write one. I guess if I had to write one now, I’d start with an outline so I can plan where the story is headed. Then, just like with flying, you may have to deviate from the plan to adjust for the unexpected, but hopefully you’ll end up somewhere near your original destination.
Best of luck with making your dream a reality!
Hi, Julia! That’s a great way to describe it… “dusty dreams in the attic”! I would imagine we do all have some of those that we’ve been meaning to get to, but something always gets in the way. I suppose it’s time to start putting our dreams in the way of “real life” and, who knows… they may become our new real life?
Or, maybe not, but at least we’ll be having fun trying. I’m getting a little sick and tired of just existing on autopilot! Time to disengage that crap and take control once again. Don’t you think?
I still find it amazing / hard to believe that you actually know how to fly a plane.
Good luck, I hope you get the knowledge and funds necessary to live out your dreams
Hi, Glen! Believe it, baby, ’cause it’s true. Not only can I fly a plane, I logged about 500 hours of complex, high-performance, international and instruments time. In other words, I wasn’t flying Cessnas around the local airport pattern. I flew a Twin Comanche and a V Tail Bonanza all around the US, Mexico, and Central America… through storms, even.
Frightening, I know. Ahhh… the good old days, when life was simple.
I guess I’d better get your Cloud Living guide so I can figure out how to finance this thing, huh?
BUt without dreams plans, too, are no plans. BTW, once upon a time a person named Martin Luther King started his oratory with phrases like this ….. ” I have a DREAM “. The result is in your White House now.
Anyway, can you send me that full speech if you some how manage ?
Still, great to know that you have regained your phantom wings.
Cheers!
.-= SAJAL NANDY´s last blog ..WHERE DO WE STAND NOW ?? =-.
Hi, Sajal! How are you, my friend? It’s great to see you here!
You are absolutely right that dreams are a hugely necessary part of this. It’s wonderful to have something to look forward to, something to aspire to, and something other than bills and responsibilities to occupy our thoughts. So, it’s very important that even once we start DOING, we should never stop dreaming.
Thanks for commenting today.
am doing ok. I come to Q4B often.. nice going.. thumbs up.. my dear friend.
so true.. Only the corpses cannot dream…
love.
.-= SAJAL NANDY´s last blog ..WHERE DO WE STAND NOW ?? =-.
Wow Leeee, that is so admirable, I have to say, flying scares the crap out of me so I really admire you for that. It´s a great example to illustrate the quote ´Quit talking and begin doing´ No more excuses, you are awesome.
Whenever you fly over here, will ya stop by and say hello? Id like to see you wearing those cool flying glasses
.-= Rosa´s last blog ..Porque yo amo a Michael – Because I love Michael =-.
This is fantastic!! I find your patience inspiring. I am one to want something now and if I can’t have it now then I give up. Today I will slow down and let the dream happen. Thank you.
.-= Jill´s last blog ..Too much noisy chatter =-.
@ Rosa: Ha! I wondered if anyone would notice those! They were my friend’s… he was an aerobatic pilot so they had to stay on when he did loops and stuff. MY glasses are those aviator Raybans that were cool in the late 80′s early 90′s. I’ll probably stick with mine when I come see you in Santo Domingo.
@ Jill: You make a great point… I am VERY (sometimes frustratingly) patient. I’d definitley be Aesop’s tortoise, not the hare. Slow and steady wins the race, they say. I’m pretty good at thinking long term. I’m not in favor of putting off living for another day, but I won’t give up on a dream just because I can’t have it right now.
Dreaming AND Doing… that’s the balance we’re seeking today.
Hi Lisis!
What really “got” me was not only your determination and drive, but seeing a girl in that pilot seat!
Having worked in male-dominated professions for most of my adult life, its nice to see you there in the driver’s seat. No offense, guys, I loved every minute of my career(s)-would’ve just been nice to have more of us girls around, too.
Great post, Lisis. You’ve put it out there, now just wait for the bounty to flow to you.
Hey, Lori… technically, I guess, it’s the COpilot’s seat; but it’ll have to do in a pinch. Sadly I did all my flying before digital cameras were popular, so my Pilot In Command pics are all printed on paper and bound in albums. Which is all the more reason why I need to start flying again… I need some NEW, digital, Left seat pictures. As soon as I get one, I’ll post it for you.
PS: I’m off to the pool… back in a while!
This is fantastic to hear! Knowing first hand how much you loved to fly and having the pleasure of being one of your “copilots” (OK, so I just sat in that seat and watched you) this makes me very happy. I hope you get your wings back soon. And then fly here for a visit!
You got it, Gary! My first cross country will be to San Diego. You made a great copilot. Keeping the pilot company is 90% of the copilot’s job!
Thanks for commenting; it’s great to see you here today. Between dreams and memories, it’s about time to get this thing off the runway!
Hi Lisis,
This is really really great. Your determination is salutable. Go ahead!!!
.-= vikum´s last blog ..Brick walls are there for a reason =-.
Hey, Gee… you’re gonna have to fight me for the right seat!!!
.-= Alison | Quest for Balance´s last blog ..Adventure: Stop Dreaming and Start Doing! =-.
Hi Lisis,
I applaud you for pursuing your passion. I think sometimes we get stuck in the stage of wishful thinking where we may have a dream yet don’t take action to make it a reality. It’s good to see that you’re being proactive in your pursuit and i’m sure it’s only a matter of time until your efforts will be rewarded! Consistency is key; I think if you can push yourself toward your dream, even on the worst days, then the rest is just gravy!
Rhythm Rob
.-= Rhythm Rob´s last blog ..Empower Yourself: Balancing the 3 Elements of Our Being =-.
LISIS… you are oficially my SHERO. like hero. but a girl.
crazy shades you’ve got on in the photo. the real meaning of “wraparound shades”
Glen told me you were a pilot. thought he was joking
it’s SO cool!! like. insanely cool. super ultra cool.
man. lisis. you of all people will make it happen. def.
“phanotm wings” haha. really funny image
my mom’s a remedial yoga teacher, coaching people through recovery from serious illness or accidents using yoga. hennyways, she was reading an amazing book about phantom limbs etc called “phanotms in the brain” by a guy named ramachandran. book is amazing but he also gave a TED talk. google it. amazing stuff.
can imagine you pacing like a caged libra ox
another funny image haha.
really liked the way you wrote the bit in blue. sent electric yumness through my being. like a great new song or standing at the top of a mountain. yummm.
i’m sure you’ll work out the money thing. it’s such a minor factor really… specially for somebody like you. just semantics. you offer so much value, write so well – i’m sure you’ll be able to make it happen. i’m sure glen will donate a copy of cloud living for a good cause
it’s great and given your writing skill and perseverance, you can prolly make it happen within a month. i’ll be happy to help with design or anything else.
keep well lisis and all the best.
one thing though: you have to promise to fly out to Cape Town when you’re a billionaire and own your own plane. deal?
haha
again, all the best lisis
alex – unleash reality
p.s. given how awwwsome this is, i’m adding you to my list of remarkable people. and since you and rosa gave such a cute little girls whine about it
.-= alex – unleash reality´s last blog ..Hate Me or Love Me: How to Do What You Want, Feel Great & Live More =-.
Alex, never underestimate the power of a girly whine. Women have worked for centuries to perfect it so that it simply cannot be ignored. It’s been a bit of a challenge lately, trying to adapt the girly whine to the written word… but Rosa and I aren’t quitters. We just keep at it until we get it perfect (right, sis?).
I’m so glad you liked the post… and I totally loved your comment. It made me laugh out loud. Not in the LOL texting way, but in the literally laughing in front of my pc and looking like an idiot way. You know that way?
You should’ve put a hyperlink to Glen so that he’d get pinged and get the HINT about donating a copy of Cloud Living to a worthy cause. (wink, wink)
Cape Town, huh? That’s got Amelia Earhart written all over it. I must say I haven’t ever tackled a jump across the pond. Farthest I flew out to sea was Amber Gris Keyes, in Belize (not too far from shore). I like it! A girl’s gotta have goals.
Thanks, Alex… you just brightened my day.