387: 50 Years Later at 39,000 Feet

I was thinking while flying over to Kenya the other day at 39,000 feet that if and when I need inspiration or a word from God, I must get on a plane going somewhere, anywhere.  I can't explain it, but it's a magical moment for me every time I fly, and I have logged 3.5 million miles since 1989! I can remember when it all started, however, and I was only ten years old, although I would not be on a plane for another nine years after that. If you want to know the whole story, you know the rules.  You will have to read on.

A FIFTY-YEAR OLD MEMORY

My family never traveled anywhere.  We never took a trip longer than 40 miles from our home and we never had a family holiday or vacation together.  I remember playing in my back yard as a child and looking up at the airplanes flying overhead and wondering where they were going without me.

Then one day my young life changed forever.

My father told me that he was taking me somewhere, but would not tell me where.  We got in our car and drove 32 miles to visit, not fly out of but just visit, the Greater Pittsburgh Airport.

When you drove into the old airport (they have since built a new one), they had elaborate fountains. We parked the car and went into the airport, which had shops, a movie theater, a game arcade and an observation deck.

Now keep in mind that this was probably in 1959.  Most of the planes were still of the propeller variety, but I remember standing on that observation deck and watching them start up, take off and land. I was fascinated. We got there in the early evening and then found out a jet plane was coming in from Chicago at 9 PM, which was the time of the summer sunset.  My dad said we could wait for the jet to come in and we did.

I will never, ever forget seeing that TWA jet approach and land while there was still some daylight.  I used the deck's binoculars to watch it come in and I was absolutely spellbound and speechless.  When we left that night after spending about three hours there, I said to myself as a nine-year old boy, "I will be on one of those planes one day."  I have fulfilled my vow over and over again.

WHAT ARE YOUR MEMORIES?

That story is part of who I am.  So who are you?  What experiences have shaped your life?  Are you being true to those experiences?  How so?  If not, how can you re-connect with those things that helped make you the person you are today?  Was it music, travel, art, business, medicine or entertainment?  It may not be too late to do something about what you once only dreamed of doing.

I am staying home more this year, so I have placed my love for travel in God's hands.  I am not anxious, but I know it won't go away.  I cannot distance myself from that 50-year-old memory, nor do I want to do so.  It would be great if you can share any similar experiences with my readers at the site where this entry is posted.  In the meantime, I hope you have a great, memory-filled week.

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THE SOPHIA FUND:  I am glad to report that I was able to bring $2,000 with me for The Sophia Fund, which I have already turned over to local workers (designated money has also been sent into Zimbabwe already as well).  If you haven't sent anything yet, you can still do so.  I have set up a secure and reliable transfer procedure with people who take no salary and will only use the money for its stated purpose, which is to feed widows and orphans. 

You can read about my rationale for The Fund here (named after my late mother) that will help feed widows and orphans in Kenya and Zimbabwe.  Please consider a contribution of at least $5 toward the fund and hopefully more.  You can use the "Chipin" widget on the Monday Memo site to contribute, or go directly to my website to contribute there through PayPal, or send a tax-deductible check to PurposeQuest, PO Box 91099, Pittsburgh, PA  15221.  Make sure you let me know it is for The Sophia Fund. Don't delay; give today and make a difference in the world.

The most recent posted entry about The Sophia Fund is here.

BIBLE STUDY:  I will send out the fourth installment from my John Bible study later this week.  If you would like to check out the first three or subscribe to receive them as they are published, you can do both here. 

FREE PURPOSEQUEST ASSESSMENT:  Don't forget about the free PurposeQuest assessment available on my website.  This is not a scientific survey, but something that is meant to stimulate your thought and direct your study on my site concerning where you stand in your PurposeQuest.  About 800 people have taken the survey so far.  I hope that every Monday Memo reader will eventually take the assessment and heed the follow up email from me on how you can be even more purposeful than you already are.

FACEBOOK:  I continue to update my personal page on Facebook.  Check it out and let's be friends when you have a chance.  Also you can find me on Twitter @johnstanko. Go there to sign up and follow me.

Comments

[Dennis Boddy]

Growing up we there was a tv program that would feature a storyteller dressed in resplendent, flowing robes at the beginning and end of each episode. I was enthralled by him and remember vowing 'I will be like him'. Today I have a blog, have written a book, edit a newsletter and am working on a couple of other large scale writing projects. The storytelling just gets better

[Sterling Davis]

When I was younger I always would look at globes and maps while dreaming of how great it would be to visit all the different cities and countries of the world. As a child my family never went on vacations and the closest thing to a vacation was visiting family in Columbus, OH every year. To me that was very dull and Columbus is not that far from my hometown of Pittsburgh.

When I turned 16 everything changed. For the first time I got on an airplane with my best friend's mom to visit her in Los Angeles. I always dreamed of visiting Los Angeles and god made a way for me to go. I have been to L.A. many times after that and even went to school out there for nine months. God also opened the door for me to visit New York City, Toronto, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington D.C., and San Diego. Recently I have bought a ticket to visit my friend in Germany for two weeks. While there I will also travel to Amsterdam for a weekend. This is my first time flying overseas and I am very excited! Right now I am 24 and I believe that God will open the door for me to travel somewhere new every year. God gave me the passion for traveling and he is blessing me to be able to travel all the time now.

[kenny Champion]

i love this story, DOC Stanko ! this is the first time i heard about the TWA jet, though. NICE !!! i've been blessed to have time and opportunity to travel all over the USA and Europe (via planes And Motorcycles). i love it. it clears my head, and helps my focus.

ever since i was a child, i knew i was supposed to be On Stage and In Movies. WHY i chose to go to college to be an architect is still a mystery. =) no, it's not. It was a decision based on fear. i "hedged my bet". Now i'm 34, and finally about to move to LA ... again; thanks to Doc Stanko and his Purpose Quest, along with his uncanny ability to get thru the matter, and get to the Marrow of Life. Thanks Doc !

[Lelani Bonner]

Dr. Stanko, long time - but you have been in my thoughts and prayers. Sounds like all is well with you? I wanted to comment on your Monday memo. I usually wouldn't send you a comment however; I have been extremely focused on my purpose quest. I don't know if it’s because of the New Year or that I am 31 but nevertheless, I am compelled to discover my purpose. Pastor Jeff preached yesterday on "what is stopping you." What is in-between you and all that God has promised. In the message he talked about going back to the moment you stopped dreaming, and figuring out what caused you to stop. Then he asked when you were a child "what did you want to be when you grew up?" sounds like a simple question - but for me it was devastating because I have no memory. I don't remember saying I wanted to grow up to be anything.... I remember saying I would be rich but had no idea how I would get the money. Anyway, your memo this morning was timely. It helped me to see that discovering what I wanted to be when I grew up may not be discovered in just one memory or one statement. Your memory of being on a plane one day is just one piece of the puzzle. Instead of being frustrated that I don't have a memory of a particular statement or always doing one particular thing ... I have to remember the string of statements and experiences that are all similar. If I put those together hopefully I will get a better picture of what my dream was.

Thanks for sharing your heart and walking in your purpose!

[Sharron McPherson]

Firstly, John, I'd like to say "Thank You". Your story really, really inspired me to reach back and to "connect".

Both my Father and Grandfather were church bishops. As a result, I've run long and hard to distance myself from the ecclesiastical. But I wouldn't be where I am today if it weren't for my witnessing Sunday after Sunday how important ministry is to those in need. We often did'nt get home til late from church, and I remember playing in the pews whilst waiting for my Dad and hiding from the kind, elderly church ladies. I hated that they always pinched AND kissed my cheeks. Yet, they always had a kind word for me, some candy or goody, and they often insisted that I take the coins they pressed into my hand. I see the laced handkerchiefs, can smell the rose water and feel the texture of soft, weathered skin. They were stalwarts and real keepers of the faith. They loved and supported my family and they did what it took to keep us on the straight and narrow. I remember those little church ladies today and my heart melts and my eyes water.

Your story brought me back and helped me to connect the dots. Today, I'm the Chair of a Women's Enterprise Development Fund (WEDI). An integral part of what we do involves ministering to people. Essentially, our training involves helping people to connect with their motivational gifts and to find the means to turn those gifts into viable enterprises.

I've continued a legacy of ministry and service because it's part of my being. Your story helped me to realise an important source of my inspiration.

Once again, "Thank You".

[Hope Atsevgo Moses]

Hi Pastor Stanko,
The Concept of Piano from heaven could be seen from the life of Enoch, who instead of living in meadocritical life like his other ancestors decided to walk before God and was not because the creator of all was pleased with his determination. Thanks for this encouragement which will spur a potential to start off in achieving his/her vision. I used to think and act like that before, but now my steps of faith in the last five years have confirm the above. Some projects I desired to undertake I may write the plan, but later one thing or the other, from loss of the motivation, some real barriers and clear restraint might occur.While in other cases where impossibilities seems to predominates successes were achieved even more easier than I thought as the start when I committed them to Him

[LV Nomade Leather]

I can not believe what a road hog that truck driver be.

[Dating agencies Review]

love this story, DOC Stanko ! this is the first time i heard about the TWA jet, though. NICE !!! i've been blessed to have time and opportunity to travel all over the USA and Europe (via planes And Motorcycles). i love it. it clears my head, and helps my focus.