Yesterday a woman walked onto my plane, took me to the side of my galley and said she might have a problem... that she thought she had seen someone board the plane with an animal. I said "Yes, a cat." She winced and I asked, "Are you allergic?""No I have a phobia. I don't know if I can do this."
I ask where she is sitting because I know the cat is located at the front of the plane... bad luck, she is supposed to be sitting right behind it. I ask if she can make the 25 minute flight in the back of the plane if I move someone for her. "I think so", and I find someone to move forward.
She's desperately trying to keep it together, and she's mortified that I can see her fear. I tell her I understand. That I'm terrified of heights. She looks at me with a raised eyebrow and I say, "I know, not a great fear to have in my carreer, but I never look out of the window." Then I lean in closer and say, "And get this, when my boyfriend moved to Atlanta, he got an apartment in a high rise building... on the 34th floor. Floor to ceiling windows. Do you KNOW how long it took him to get me near those? I get vertigo everytime." She forgets her fear long enough to smile and feel my pain. She gets that I understand is some small way.
She says shes unsure if she can walk by the row the cat is in. I tell her I have her back and WE are going to do it together. I'm going to walk with her and she's going to look into my eyes as I talk her all the way to the back. Thats how we do it. When she hesitates by the cat row and starts to look over in that direction. I bring her attention back to my face. "Look at me. WE can do this." She shakes her head in agreement... Deep breath and another step. I talk to he, gently encouraging her all the way to the back. Then I give her kleenex and a glass of water and promise her that I will visit her throughout the short flight. As luck has it her new seatmate is chatty and funny and has her laughing by the middle of the flight. When it is over, and everyone is off the plane, I hug her and tell her she can be PROUD of herself. That she was STRONGER than her fear, She worked through it. She was beaming.
It's terrible to have a fear that impedes you from doing things that you may enjoy. I've worked through my fear of heights to the best of my abilities. I can sit on my boo's balcony and eat, as long as I don't sit next to the railing. His table in front of me, saves me from the vertigo. I have to admit that he can't sit too close to the railing without me begging him to move back a bit. I know this has nothing to do with my vertigo and everything to do with my other major fear... losing him.
I've gone to the top of the Eifel Tower, kept my back to the wall, and enjoyed the views. I CAN appreciate amazing vistas... I just can't look DOWN. In fact, I've learned to love my boo's view... from his couch in the middle of the room, with a glass of wine...
We all fight our fears daily, from real fears of danger... killing a snake on your property... to perceived irrational fears, our superstitions or perhaps repressed memories from childhood. That most of our fears CAN be conquered is a testament to human strength and resiliance.
I WAS proud of my passenger. I honestly didn't think I was going to succeed in talking her off the ledge... I know she was within inches of jumping off that plane and taking another flight. She hates her fear... is embarrased by it... but she WORKED IT OUT. She's stronger than she gives herself credit for.
I have a few passengers over the past five years that I know I'll always remember. This woman will be in that list. Not because of her weakness but because of her strength.
Speaking of strength... it's time to get out of my bed in Ashville... one of my favorite towns we fly to... and go get today's training in... aiming for 5-6 miles of hilly terrain... What little butt I have is going to be in pain in a few hours... But I've already promised I'd reward myself at the Chocolate Fetish... There is a chocolate covered orange peel in my future... as soon as I conquer the miles.
To all of my friends out there... BELIEVE in yourself... You're stronger than you know.
Peace Out
Click HERE to Donate to My Run!
No comments:
Post a Comment