LEARNING TO FLY PAST FEAR
Written by Jessica Cox
Everyone is afraid of something.
For some people, fear becomes a wall. It stops them from trying something new, taking a risk, or stepping into an opportunity. For others, fear becomes a challenge. It gives them a reason to move forward anyway.
For me, one of those fears was flying.
As a child, I was always uncomfortable on commercial airline flights. While other passengers seemed calm, I sat in my seat full of questions. How does this huge airplane stay in the sky? What is happening when the plane shakes? Why does turbulence feel so unsettling?
I did not understand aerodynamics, lift, drag, thrust, or any of the invisible forces working together to keep the airplane flying. All I knew was that the experience made me nervous. I would tense up during flights and sometimes get headaches. Turbulence especially terrified me.
Then one day, I was offered the chance to go up in a small airplane.
My first reaction was fear. A small airplane sounded even more intimidating than a commercial jet. But then another thought came to mind: Maybe this is my opportunity to face the fear instead of letting it control me.
SUMMER 2026— ISSUE NO. 15 | 9