In Greek mythology, Telamon is son of the king Aeacus of Aegina. He accompanied Jason as one of the Argonauts, and was present at the hunt for the Calydonian Boar. I don’t think he ever flew airplanes. But his words are forever true. It’s good to study aerodynamics, regulations and hydraulic systems. But study is never enough. We must also do. The preflight at 04:30. In the cold. …
Tag: commitment
Misty Copeland on the Perpetual Pursuit
Misty Copeland is a ballet dancer for American Ballet Theatre. Last year she became the first African American woman to be promoted to principal dancer at a major American ballet company. She knows something about the perpetual pursuit: The full quote, from an interview in Bloomberg Businessweek magazine, 4 August 2016: “There’s no taking days off. We’re as good as our last performance, and you’re constantly working to …
I Visualize a Lot
I visualize a lot. I visualize what the ready room looks like, the walk up, the race. The mind is a muscle that needs to be trained, and that’s something I’ve worked on as I’ve gotten older. I can be highly focused not for hours on end, but it takes tons of practice. Natalie Coughlin Twelve Olympic medals, three of …
Growing up as a Pilot
Flying magazine has a great article in the current (June) issue by John Zimmerman, ‘Growing up as a pilot: Transitioning from fear to mastery’. The last paragraph is: “Done properly, the relentless pursuit of flying mastery can transform aviation from a hobby into a life-changing commitment. Understanding how your mind works, confronting risk and pushing yourself to learn new skills …
What’s Your Ambition?
Michael Schumacher is a seven-time Formula One World Champion, and widely regarded as one of the greatest F1 drivers of all time. What’s your ambition? To be an OK pilot? Just mediocre? Or are you going to work on being better? It’s not luck or talent. It’s work. And it’s your choice. (Quote from Daily Mail newspaper, 13 September 2006.)
Bruce Lee on Successful Warrior
No better place to practice laser-like focus than the cockpit.
“Just Keep Going.”
Ted wasn’t just the greatest hitter in the history of baseball, he was a Marine Corps fighter pilot who flew 39 combat missions during the Korean War. He lived the perpetual pursuit.
Dani Arnold on Self-Criticism
Several great ideas in this interview of record-breaking mountaineer Dani Arnold: “Climbing is all in the mind. It’s about being fully conscious in the here and now, not getting distracted by anything and keeping totally focused.” “You’ve always got to be brutally honest with yourself. That also means acknowledging your own weaknesses and limitations and then working on them.”
What Would You Like to Do If Money were No Object
Alan Watts would have turned 101 yrs-old today. This is an excellent comic page from Zen Pencils illustrating one of his quotes, the full “What would you like to do if money were no object.” For me the answer is easy. Fly airplanes.
Is It Worth It?
Poem by Natalie Goldberg, reflecting on her life. From her new book, The Great Spring: Writing, Zen, and this Zigzag Life, to be published on 2 February, 2016. The greats dedicate themselves so completely. And is it worth it? Depends on what you value. For me, I’m looking forward to flying another oceanic red-eye, and seeing inside the night sky.