KEYS TO FLIGHT

Today we will discuss how to fly an airplane. I am not talking about the grand 747 or a private jet, let us make believe that you are the flying apparatus we are speaking about. On the tarmac of life there are too many people who never take flight towards their dreams. Some remain on the ground where they become defeated by the elements but, there are also counterparts who get air under their wings only to crash because they lose communication with bases on the ground. We aim to address this problem today, so let’s taxi!

Shortly after my life started, I began to experience dis-function in my family. Living on the East side of Cleveland, Ohio right next to the I-90 freeway, railroad tracks and not too far from the airport we were in the belly of the city. This is a place where the exhaust of the airplanes, the thick smoke of the train’s pipes and the noise of cars constantly driving over rumble strips were deposited. In retrospect, I understand that most adults lived in a state of anxiety in that environment, especially with the bar selling liquor day and night at the end of the street. It brought an infestation of alcoholics and drug abusers. The late 80’s is the time frame in which this was taking place.

The first decade of your life provides the context for your take-off. Everything that contributes to your experience plays a role in the path of your taxi. The way a plane maneuvers the curve and straight-away during that taxi effects its’ trajectory as it takes flight. This brings clarity to two things: why some people never take flight and why some people crash after a period.

It is important to go to flight school to avoid both outcomes.

I was at a family cookout in the summer of 2012 under a sweltering sun and clear skies. The iced coolers were dripping with condensation and the children played…, scattered across the lawn. My Aunt was bringing freshly prepared pasta salad to an outdoor table and my Uncle was smoking a rack of ribs. I was inspired by the whole scene and it compelled me to walk over to the smoker and start a conversation with my Uncle. I told him, I was proud of the way his family hosted the event and then I asked him “How do you become a provider for your family and a reliable partner for your wife?”

His reply inspired this article. “Don’t become stuck around people who are not grounded spiritually. They have to stay where they are but, you are different-you can fly!”

It was at that moment I realized my responsibility to fly. Up until that time I had been on a traumatic ride in life including abuse and neglect by my family, which ultimately landed me in foster care.  It was within foster care that I realized the need to spread my wings if I was ever going to move my life to a better space.

Fasten your seatbelts because you are also preparing for take-off. Just like the technician inspects the plane for breaks and deficiencies, you must look at yourself honestly and locate places that need healing. This might include forgiving people who have hurt you, or forgiving yourself for not gearing up to fly earlier in life.

Now is the time for your lift-off! I know some people are afraid of heights because they do not want to fall. I understand that. When you rise miles above your circumstances it is normal to get a little nervous but, what is more important is understanding how to fly so that you can prevent peril.

Let’s prepare you to be a great plane. First, calibrate your mentality by defining flight. Elevating from your starting place by developing your gifts and working hard at honing them (spreading your wings), sustaining your path despite competition, overcoming adversity to achieve a maximum altitude (air traffic control) and communicating with others who are waiting to take off (satellite communications)- are all keys to flight.

Warning: reading this article does not mean you can find a cliff and jump off expecting to fly! You must prime yourself by envisioning your journey so you can first fly mentally. Next, believe that you are meant to be in the skies with the other pilots, so that you can fly spiritually. This culmination prepares you to fly, literally…, and enjoy an excellent adult life.

You may now turn on your electronic devices and join me on social media!  Cedric Riley on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube (@cedricriley). Also, my daily TV show America’s Next Motivator is available for your enjoyment and subscription on the Facebook page of the same name.

Thank you for flying with me today!

To continue this conversation, reach out to me at: www.motivatefosterkids.com

@AmericasNEXTMotivator (On Facebook)