Flying is an inherently dangerous occupation. Long ago I learned there are a few bad pilots. They don’t last long. They either eliminate themselves or gravity does it for them.
There are many smart pilots with good flying skills. And there are a few outstanding pilots.
An outstanding pilot is one who uses her or his outstanding judgement to avoid the need to use her or his outstanding knowledge and outstanding skills.
Today, James Clear wrote:
“Success is largely the failures you avoid.
Health is the injuries you don’t sustain.
Wealth is the purchases you don’t make.
Happiness is the objects you don’t desire.
Peace of mind is the arguments you don’t engage.
Avoid the bad to protect the good.”
There is always something to fix, accomplish, or avoid. Whether it’s a relationship with an especially challenging person, a daunting task at work, or reports of a crisis in our nation, it can sometimes be really scary – at least in our minds.
I always encourage others (mostly to remind myself) that it’s important to “face the dragon” – don’t avoid it. Once engaged, the dragon is often not as big and fearful as imagined.
The action of engagement is a near-perfect antidote to fear. But judgement must first enter the picture.
Don’t avoid the dragon or the fight that needs to be fought. But don’t feel compelled to face every dragon or engage in every fight that comes along.
Seek the truth. Learn all you can. Hone your skills. Prepare for the fights that matter, but “avoid the bad to protect the good.”
Be an outstanding pilot.
The Paceline 
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