I haven't been on too many trips in my lifetime. A few here and there across the US, and usually I don't feel as fortunate as some who get to travel all over very often. However, during this time, I felt so lucky. How fortunate I am to be a part of an organization that flew me across the nation, not only for the betterment of my chapter, but also for the betterment of myself. It was during this flight that I felt so much peace with what life has offered me. The places I've been, the people I've met, the highs and the lows I've been through, those who I have loved and currently do love… it truly doesn't take much to make us happy deep down. All the "stuff" I place happiness in suddenly didn't matter to me. All that seemed to matter were those things I just mentioned. Life isn't about the things. It's about the people we love, the places we go, and the memories we make. Once we are able to take time to reflect on what, I feel it's much easier to appreciate these simple happenings that, in the moment, may not seem like much but truly make up the best parts of our lives.
I think there's a lot we can all reflect on while 30,000 feet in the air. All I had were a few downloaded Spotify playlists and a small window to the left of me. No phone service. No internet. No social media. There was something so peaceful about being so far removed from it all for just a little bit. During this time, so many memories from the best parts of my life flooded through my head.
"Sometimes it takes the sky to see what's on the ground."
There's a song by Ben Rector that has always been one of my favorites. It's one of those songs that whenever I find myself on a plane, it's too fitting not to listen to at least 10 times. 30,000 Feet, the title of this song, talks so simply about how much life has given each of us. No matter how recently you have reflected on that, try it for a moment. Maybe even pull a "me" and listen to this song once or twice or seven times through.
Simply put, life is so good to all of us, and sometimes it takes a bind of hindsight to remember that. I know there are times in my life where I feel like nothing ever slows down, I'm constantly spinning my wheels and trying to "get it all done." It's so easy to get caught up in the small things that essentially aren't going to matter soon enough. There are hugely important things in our lives that deserve more of our focus.
"I've been better, I've been worse, I have loved pretty girl. I've seen a couple places that I'd never thought I'd see. I've walked into harder times, I've walked out the other side. It seems like you end up getting what you need. Looking down from 30,000 feet, life's been good to me."
After hearing these words again and again, I think they can be too true for all of us. We've all been through it, the best and the worst. We've all had a love that failed or a love we want back. We've all been places that we'd never thought we'd go and run into people we'd never thought we be blessed enough to meet. We've all been through terrible times and come forth shining. In the end, we end up with exactly what we need, what's most important. Life is really good to all of us in a lot of ways, but it's up to us to reflect on those and be thankful for them.
Take a trip somewhere soon. The plane ride is worth it. Sometimes it takes the sky to see what's on the ground.
