This is your captain speaking

I was getting frustrated. It was after 10 p.m. ET and the plane was stuck in a holding pattern over Dulles airport in Washington, D.C. thanks to torrential rain in the metro NYC area, our final destination. The captain had just announced that we had enough fuel to circle "for a bit longer" and if not, we'd have to "come up with a new plan." <Sigh.>

There were collective moans and groans around the cabin, so I was in good company with my frustration. After a cross-country flight, we were going to land and refuel? Before taking off on a short flight? Headed into inclement weather? To land super late at night? And then wait for our bags? And run to our cars in the rain? <Insert head exploding emoji here.>

Suffice it to say, I learned two important lessons on that flight. First, the utter lack of control over the situation was a nice reminder to this type A, control freak, (recovering) perfectionist. There was absolutely nothing I could do about the situation. Well, except grin and bear it to set a good example for my five year old. An unexpected, mini-adventure! Bright side? Our body clocks were three hours behind so it really wasn't that late.

Second, I learned a critical nuance about one of my favorite mantras: "get comfortable being uncomfortable." I blogged about this and say it all the time because I've learned that discomfort often leads to change and growth. (There's a reason they call it growing pains, right?) When we were released from the holding pattern, the captain let us know we were going to experience turbulence as we approached Newark. He acknowledged that many passengers were terrified of turbulence but to rest assured that he'd been flying for over 17 years and logged a zillion (excuse the estimate) hours in the air. He explained that he's learned there's a big difference between being uncomfortable and unsafe. <Insert that brain exploding emoji here too.> He told us we would be uncomfortable, but definitely not unsafe.

I snapped to attention and whipped out my phone to "write" that down as a huge grin spread across my face. Yes! How spot on is that uncomfortable vs. unsafe sentiment?! The passengers appreciated it in the moment and I surely will take that with me on every future flight I take. But in the "big," as they say? Well-said, Captain! When I left private practice, I thought I was taking a "risk" in my career. Nope, I was just uncomfortable with change, which was a new opportunity. When I launched JMT Speaks, at first my mind told me that I was taking another "risk." It seemed scary and crazy, that is, "unsafe." But then... I realized that I wasn't putting myself in any sort of "danger." Instead, I was creating an opportunity and that made me uncomfortable. Ergo, discomfort does not equate to unsafe.

Much like flying during turbulence, we may feel "unsafe" when tackling something new, doing something different, or making a change. But we're not in any sort of danger. We're uncomfortable. But if we don't ride out the turbulence, how will we get where we're supposed to go?

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