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Tuesday 29 April 2014

Brace, brace



"Ladies and gentlemen, your attention - for your safety be aware of the following: A safety card is in your seat pocket showing the exit routes, oxygen masks, life jackets, and brace position that you must adopt if you hear 'brace, brace'.
There are two emergency exits at the rear, four in the middle and two at the front of the cabin".

As we pull away from the terminal and taxi towards the end of the runway, I look out of the window. The early morning sky is already a beautiful shade of blue. Soon I will be lifted from the earth, high above the clouds once more. My mind begins to wander up and out of the cabin to a place filled with an Orange Blossom breeze and a burning sun.

"Floor lighting will guide you to an exit. Be aware of your nearest exit. In an emergency leave all cabin baggage on-board".

With engines full throttle and seconds before the brakes are released, a thought occurs to me: in the event of an airborne crisis, we will be fully prepared with everything we need to know to help us get through it.
But what if the air supply doesn't fail, or we don't land on water. What if the emergency is invisible to everyone but ourselves? How do we brace for the agony of a heartbreak, the loss of a loved one, a job, a dream, or the countless other challenges that life throws at us on a daily basis? Where is the life jacket, oxygen mask and low level lighting then? Sometimes in life things pop up to throw us off track. We think we will never again be able to open our hearts, or dare to dream, or give in to hope. But with every knock-back comes a new beginning; an opportunity to learn a lesson and shine brighter than ever before.

2 comments:

  1. a place filled with an Orange Blossom breeze and a burning sun: that's a place in your heart and your mind and you carry it with you everywhere; I know! That very string of words made me look up and smile on a day filled with weariness...that time when "We think we will never again be able to open our hearts, or dare to dream, or give in to hope". Thanks for reminding me that "But with every knock-back comes a new beginning; an opportunity to learn a lesson and shine brighter than ever before". Thanks for reminding me of that Jeff, of the beauty of life.
    I have just one question: where were you headed on your flight, the place of orange blossom sunshine?
    Have a wonderful day.

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    1. Ahh, it is so true that we all carry these things inside of our hearts and minds. It makes me feel very humble that this connected with you. It is a gift when words resonate and seem to come at a time when we need them the most. We come together for a reason. I was on my way to visit my sister in Orgiva (Southern Spain). The sun was out and I did indeed smell the orange blossom. Hope you are well and happy Charles. Keep shining :-)

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