All the World's My View....from 30, 000 Feet!

Frank White, Harvard Professor, wrote the famous book The Overview Effect.  He documents how those who have been in space are permannently changed in their view of the world.  There is a permanent shift that he detects in their speeches and writings.  They are never the same.

I believe jet travel may be addictive.  The few seconds of G forces on takeoff may release endorphins in the brain, creating a pleasurable "champaign effect".  As I approach a million miles with United, I certainly enjoy jet travel more with each flight.

But there is something else operating, and it is the whole basis for much of this writing.  I also believe that when we are at altitudes such as 30, 000 feet, just as a nice round number of high flight, we are at a precious place and time and speed over the earth to reflect, to think over our lives, and gain insights that enrich our lives.

At this height over earth, we are 30, 000 feet closer to the heavens...
We don't see borders below, and even sometimes, we see the great arc of light on the horizon...
We often sit next to the most fascinating people and we have the time to enjoy and savor the exchange of new ideas...

And we are not driving the ship!  Someone else is doing that for us....just like life on the surface!

We get all the new stirrings of thoughts and insights about the four flashes of life...nature, our world of love and romance, our spiritual life and our life-work and destiny....

So, I think we don't need to go to space exactly and I think Frank White is correct...we get this in jets at 30, 000 feet...

We are landing now, but stay with me on this great ship of friends...we will be taking off again soon for more insights at 30, 000 feet!