Acceptance

It had been over a week since my last flight, a twenty minute crop tour, which showed me how close to combining we were. 

So as I patiently waited for an air ambulance, and a spray plane blocking the runway, I took my time warming up the engine and going through my procedures. 

Eventually as the wait dragged on, I realized that I could be proactive and walk the grass to ensure a safe alternative taxi path for my return flight, should the taxiway be occupied again.

Upon returning to my plane, excited as ever I was unfortunately met with a dead battery, a 200m airplane push back to the hangar, and no flight.

Instead of being overly frustrated at my thwarted flight efforts, I imagined that someone watching over me from above, intervened to ensure that I was safe, secure, and ready to fly again.

I know I have thousands of flight hours ahead of me, so missing this one will not matter in the big picture. This was a great chance for me to work on one area of struggle. 

Patience.

Like a stoic, practicing the art of acceptance, I want to handle the things that I can control, and let those that I cannot, pass over me like water in a stream.

• Now that’s a peak ethos.