Mile High Thoughts
Most people dread the idea of going to the airport. Why? Probably because the lines for TSA security checks take hours on end, the boarding process is a monstrosity, and to top it all off they’re going to go sit in a crowded plane with near to nothing leg space. So one may question, how can this be an enjoyable experience.
For me, it’s a the complete opposite side of the coin. I look at flying as an opportunity to find solitude and solemnity. No social interactions, no social media. Just me and my notebook, my music, or my novel. Whatever catches my fancy that day. Sometimes, I don’t use any of these things; I sit in perfect silence for the duration of the flight.
The other reason I enjoy flying is the notion that when you look out the window, you can see nothing but lights. If you go high enough, then it’s endless skies, billowing clouds, and depending on the time of your flight the sun or the moon. Where else can you find such a sight? I’ve gone to the observatory deck at the Empire State Building. I’ve gazed out over the city that never sleeps. And even that, at that height was awe inspiring. Looking down at the tiny people and their tiny cars, I can’t help but think that this world, this existence is a beautiful one. Granted, there is turmoil on this earth. There is pain, there is suffering. And I am not trying to discount any of those things or the experiences of those unfortunate to be involved. But when I am flying, thousands of feet up in the air, everything vanishes. No thoughts of work, school, friends, even family.
It becomes “Me” time. And in the most peaceful sense. I can sit and completely these things, or write a poem, or read a sci-fi novel. I can listen to my favorite bands rock out without distraction. But most of all, I can be alone with my thoughts. Whether good or bad, I have the time to disconnect externally and focus solely on the internal. And I use this time to do or to think about whatever comes into my mind.
I cannot force you to view traveling as a positive experience, and even I have bad days at the airport. But I can give you a glimpse into my world whilst flying. Additionally, I’d like to think that flying should not bring out the Devils in us. There are numerous times where I have seen a passenger be rude to the air hostess, whose involvement in the delay of the flight could not have been any more nonexistent. I have seen upset passengers refuse to pick up their trash, or to extend the bare politeness everyone deserves. A simple thank you won’t hurt you, and may make the person on the receiving end quite happy.
It seems as if I’m going into a rant, so I’ll stop it here. Flying for me has always been an exciting one. Regardless of the destination, I enjoy the trip itself. The destiny just adds the cherry on top: I like to explore internally the caverns and crevices of my mind, delve into the plethora of thoughts, ideas, and memories lurking in the backwaters of my brain. Rarely, if at all, have I shared with others the joy traveling brings to me. But I feel as if this is another means for me to express myself. To define who I am. Because whether people read this or not, for me to be able to write about my experiences in traveling and the reasons I enjoy it helps identify what makes me tick.
If you don’t know what makes you tick on a day to day basis, how can you truly fulfill your existence on this earth? When I die, or pass, or whatever it is that happens to me when my time is up, I want to make sure that I can look back at the life I loved and say to myself that I lived a life with purpose. That what I did, I did so because that’s what drove me. I worked on things I enjoyed, I visited places that I liked, I ate food that was delicious. I hope where ever the “afterlife” is has kimchi fried with bulgogi. *mouth waters*
So you are welcome to join me on this adventure, or you can choose to ignore every word I’ve written and continue to dislike flights. Either way, as I sit on this flight on my way to Vegas, I can’t help but smile at the current experience, and that to come once I arrive.
