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Some Pathways Require a New Type of Courage

February 12, 2024

We normally think of pathways as a road or a dirt path but that isn’t always the case. This is especially true when you begin to think of the pathway as part of a journey. A journey can be an emotional, mental, physical, or spiritual experience that takes you from one realm to another in in your life. 



And, that journey can also benefit from a helper, a guide, or an instructor. Leaping off a cliff in a hang glider is a special type of journey that requires trust, courage, deliberation, and determination. The young woman in this picture has an image of herself flying over the obstacles on the ground and sailing over the hills, seeing the land from a bird’s eye view. But, she has never done this before, so she has an instructor who has explained the special equipment, provided tips for guiding the hang glider, and agreed jump with her!  All of these events can translate into a physical allegory for a launching of yourself into a new career or a new relationship.

Emotional and Spiritual Preparation

Consider the emotional preparation that she has undergone. The idea of sailing off a cliff (or a big hill) like an eagle that soars around is foreign to most of us. We have to rev up our courage, we have to see ourselves soaring like that and feel the wind buffeting us. And, then, there is the instructor who will fly in tandem. What do we have to do to build our trust in this person? And what do we need to do to trust ourselves?

Trust is not only an emotional experience, but also a spiritual experience. Trust is about faith. Both of them are unseen and may not be recognized until they are absent. Here are some examples:


  • In our current world, learning to trust those who are supposed to help us might be very challenging given that too many companies let themselves get carried away by current cultural and political pressures and might end up laying off people who were just hired! We get bombarded by job opportunities through online services, many of whom may provide information that we see from our own needs and interests, but really may include characteristics that are alien to our expectations. We trust that the company will support us, but then find out that we are simply a disposable part!
  • This is the same thing that happens in making new working relationships . Building a team in a new non-profit or small business can seem simple, but we may not be emotionally in sync with the people who are members of the team. The dynamics of different personalities whose motives for joining might be all over the place can lead to a tug of war over values, principles, directions, strategies and leadership!  This undermines trust and creates insecurity and distress, and compromises your spiritual confidence. Being aware of when the fit is wrong for you is essential; otherwise, you may blame yourself, or lose faith in the possibilities that could be in another setting.
  • In personal relationships, people sometimes see an idealized version of the person with whom they think they want a relationship. Expectations for certain behaviors or responses might actually be at odds with the reality of this person. Many military and law enforcement couples have difficulty because of the tug of war between the work needs of one partner and the companionship needs of the other. Young women are dazzled by the handsome, daring rodeo cowboy with all his buckles and ribbons. But, the demands of his touring and the needs of a growing family conflict.  This also undermines trust. Jumping off this cliff in this hang glider could bring terrible emotional and spiritual disasters!


Preparing for the emotional and spiritual challenges in our personal, workplace, and recreational life take time and determination. Self-awareness, emotional maturity, and emotional intelligence, as well as spiritual confidence does not come automatically. It takes a focused effort and determination to know yourself, and understand what you needs, fears, values and purpose are in relation to what you think you want. And it helps to put your faith in a power that is greater than yourself; prayer works wonders.

Mental and Physical Preparation

There is also the physical and mental preparation that is needed to get ready to make the jump in the hang gliders of life!  You have to be physically fit: wrestling the hang glider controls in the wind requires physical strength. Building yourself up athletically would be a significant preparation. Understanding the physical properties of the hand glider itself (or any other objective) will make it more accessible.  This is also part of the mental work that needs to be done. Not only is there a great learning that must be undertaken, but you will have to recognize what your thought patterns are and where your own thinking could undermine you’re your success! 



Do the research and investigate. Talk to people who have been there and done that. Take lessons when appropriate, read books, watch videos, practice with little steps. Learn how this particular hang glider works. Build confidence through learning. Learning and building confidence will help you to see nuances of the situation, these will prepare you and help you to avoid disasters. Recognizing a disaster before it happens is important.  Recognizing the little voice that warns you that something is not right comes with knowledge and confidence.  Jumping ahead of your preparation could lead you to think you are ready when you are not. Hang gliders (whether real or figurative) require respect.  All of life’s decisions should be made with respect brought about through emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual preparation.   Happy flight and happy landing as you move along your path.

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