056: Why Not Fly Above It All?

Flying.

Mentioning air-travel probably brings to mind the hassle of airports, delays, security and ticketing lines, baggage-claim, and rude passengers.

All things considered, I still love to fly.

And here's why...

Perspective!

There's something about the 30,000 foot perspective when you're cruising above the clouds.

It puts things in perspective.

Life gets "cloudy" doesn't it?

That's especially true as you age.

Then you consistently encounter those clouds of political doom-and-gloom, social media noise, and news headlines.

There's a lot that blocks out your clarity and your contentment.

You can fly above it all and choose to keep things in perspective

Consider this your personal and practical flight-plan to move from a ground-level perspective to a higher perspective where the sky is clear and uncluttered.

• Rising above the cultural noise
• Moving in the direction of a healthier you
• Silencing your inner to-do list

Turn down the volume

Life is noisy!

And the more you scroll and scurry around the noisier it gets.

So much so that you become numb or nuttier.

Speaking of "nuttier" - I'm consistently amazed at how nuts people have become on social media.

Sure, it's entertaining and occasionally inspiring but after a period of doom-scrolling through the noise of opinions, untruths, fabrications, and conspiracy theories, the clouds of despair begin to block out the light.

If you want fly at a higher level with cloudless perspective:

• Limit your media exposure - turn off the news, vet your sources, stop mindlessly scrolling social media.
• Set some limits - be intentional with your inputs from news/media, informational sources, etc.
• Consider the sources - test what you hear and see (if it looks or sounds unreasonable or untrue perhaps it is).

Move like it matters

Being sedentary can cloud your perspective.

Sitting in your emotional distress or your physical condition could have an adverse effect on the quality of your life.

Movement however fast or slow clears the air.

It's why you feel better when you get up and get moving.

• It's why taking a walk across the room, down the hall, around the block, or in nature renews your mind and body.
• It's why physical exercise or a fitness routine increases your energy.

Movement matters however you approach it.

Here’s how it works for me:

I do a daily routine of yoga.

I run and walk (currently training for a half-marathon).

I alternate my desk time from standing to sitting.

I park my vehicle at a distance from my destination so I can walk (plus it protects my ride from door dinks).

Think about how you can make movement practical and consistent.

Find what works for you.

You’ll be amazed at how it enhances your perspective.

Listen and learn

Information - in whatever form you consume it - comes at you fast and furious most days.

Listening...really listening...becomes a matter of filtering all the noise, quieting your environment, and then quieting yourself.

• Take a moment, pause, and sit quietly to think - not overthinking but rather processing your latest thoughts, inputs, and reflections.
• Find your space where you aren't reminded of your to-do list, your grocery list, or your next big-thing.
• Deal with yourself - it's difficult but regular self-reflection helps build resilience.

Aging in resilience heightens your self-awareness and enables you to rise above the clouds instead of living in the grey-space of the noise and opinions that swirl around you.

You have the freedom to fly above it all and the perspective is quite refreshing for a change

• Turn down the volume of noise in your life
• Make movement a priority
• Quiet yourself and listen...really listen

Press on...

Eddie