A flying machine engineered after birds
I’ve always set slightly unhinged goals for myself. A bit too audacious, a bit too bold, and these goals weren’t a checklist; these goals were a way of being.
When I've said these out loud, I’ve been ridiculed, shamed, and misunderstood. I also know I’m not the first or the last to feel this way or to have faced this in life. It comes with learning and self-belief, which I keep developing.
The funny thing is I was never ready to do any of it, I felt crippling fear before setting on these. The excitement of doing it was just a tiny bit more than the fear.
Some things I’ve said over the years:
Saw a tiny lake on top of a mountain from a flight (see below) from Corsica to Paris. Wanted to hike there. Done. Oeschinensee.
I don’t want to apply for any job. I want to be so in demand that jobs find me. Done. Thanks, LinkedIn.
Nothing below $$$$. Done. Credits
Live in Bulgaria, work on the shores of the Black Sea. Be a digital nomad, put savings to buy a house. Not done. Discouraged by someone close who made fun of me.
Slept in an isolated desert, pristine dunes for two nights with no roof, a mattress, and delicious food in the company of 4 other inspiring women. Done. Laughed at by peers at a party.
Hike up to the height of Everest base camp in the Himalayas. Done. Roopkund. 15,700 feet.
Discovered Sellaronda cycling loop while reading about popular biking routes, I biked the entire 53 km loop in a single day, climbing a total of 2000 meters in altitude through the stunning Dolomites in Italy.Done. With some (a lot of) tears.
Among other dreams. I did every single one of these on my own.
And as I was trying to explain to someone how isolating it feels, to chase these things only you understand. My friend said something like, “You know I’m going to see the best in you and push you harder to achieve.” I laughed. It’s not that it wasn’t genuinely sweet.
It’s just not possible.
Belief begins within, but when echoed back by someone who truly sees you, it multiplies.
Reading about the Wright brothers allowed me to finally articulate it and put words to why.
Wright brothers looked at BIRDS and said, “Let’s build a flying machine for humans that’s engineered after birds. “
Read that again and tell me it doesn’t sound ridiculous.
That’s the thing about vision and belief : It’s yours. It will sound unhinged to others. No one can hold these for you, not a friend, partner, or parent.
It’s not a consensus. It’s not a group chat. It’s lonely, terrifying, and often invisible to others.
And yet, nothing is more powerful than belief.
Religion runs on belief.
Societies, systems, money—they all run on belief.
Your potential and what you’ll achieve in life?
That runs on belief, too.
No one may understand your goals, and much less push you to achieve goals that aren’t yours, but the Pygmalion effect holds. I’ve poured my belief into two people, and I’ve seen both their lives improve 10x. My mum held that belief for me. Even when she didn’t fully understand my goals or why it mattered they much to me. She couldn’t always see the map, but she always held the light.
Note to self: Have ridiculous goals. Hold unchecked audacity. Develop the nerve to follow your intuition. And when you eventually face plant and stumble, do so with the most grace. Take your time. Brush it off. Repeat. But don’t back down without a fucking fight.
The passes to be cycled that make Sellaronda : Sella, Pordoi, Campolongo, Gardena.
Look at this and tell me you don’t want to bike here!
As seen from the flight. Hiked to this for vibes :)
