On our flight into Seattle last week, I took in the view from the window of the plane and thought about all of the life going on 30,000 feet below me. So many tiny houses and businesses, full of people that I would probably never know, making dozens upon dozens of choices that sum up their lives.
It was a bit overwhelming when I thought about the billions of people on this great earth and how small and insignificant I am in the grand scheme of things.
And then I reflected on my own life, trying to see it objectively, as if from high up in the sky. I thought about all of the choices I have made, and the ways they have shaped me into the person I am today.
Have they all been good? Not necessarily.
Have they all been the right ones? Not necessarily that either.
Have they all taught me something? Definitely.
As I have gotten older and more self-confident, I am able to more quickly recognize when I need to make a difficult choice. It doesn't make it any easier to do, and sometimes it hurts like hell. But, I have to be true to myself and confident in what I know I want for my life. That wasn't always the case and I'm so grateful that I have this ability now.
I'm still learning as I go on this journey. It's trial and error on many days, and I've eaten more than my share of humble pie. But, I think that's one of my favorite things now about being human.
It's interesting looking down at my life from this viewpoint. The potholes and streets that are under construction, the neat and tidy storefronts of success, the messy clutter and chaos of my home, and the random fields of joy make it a pretty amazing place to live.
Some find the view from an airplane window a bit scary, but I find it inspiring. It reinforces for me that we were meant to shape our own destiny in this life, through the good and bad choices we make that define us and build our world.
Take a moment to reflect on your own life and look at it from 30,000 feet. Appreciate the uniqueness of the landscape you've created through your own choices.
I think you'll find that it's an awesome view.