“Don’t be afraid of opposition. Remember a kite rises against, not with the wind.” – Hamilton Wright Mabie
I received a silver pin today from the Aircraft Owners and Pilot’s Association congratulating me on 25 years of membership. Unbeknownst to me, I have now officially been a pilot for a quarter of a century. Man, do I feel old!
Pilots have a more intimate relationship with the wind than the average person. They think about it often. The most critical phases of flight – takeoff and landing – are performed into the wind as takeoffs and landing performed downwind can be quite dangerous. If I learned anything from my early flight training, it was this: that headwinds, when you are leaving or settling back onto the ground, are your friend.
So it is in life. Once you realize that headwinds – the forces that oppose your progress when you’re doing the right thing – give you more lift, you are suddenly in position to turn that which used to annoy you into something that you relish. The energy carried for the forces that oppose you can be put to use in the accomplishment of your aims. It’s a beautiful thing, really.
The good news is that you don’t have to bang your head against the wall for 25 years to figure it out. You can start here and now. Don’t be afraid of opposition. It can always be used to advantage.
Gregory Hake 
Thanks for the heads up on the headwinds!!!!
This proved to be a very sound principle in application today.
It’s was great to soar to new heights today, not to mention the momentum this new perspective has inspired, and those pesky nuances really provide nothing but more LIFT!!!!!
Thank-you landing me safely in a new state!
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You landed solo, Joshua. Congratulations!
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This is perfect! Thank you Gregg.
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You’re welcome, Diane!
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Using opposing forces to advantage is so fundamental to successful forward movement. As with flying an aircraft, navigation is a matter of perceiving what is actually present in the surrounding air, not just reacting to it but working with it strategically. Trust in your craft and its inherent stability and design allows for graceful and level-headed piloting. Reaction, judgment and panic are not the pilot’s friends, and all of us are pilots of a sort!
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We certainly are!
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It is interesting think on health concerns we may have as opposing forces in light of your analogy. So often we feel annoyed by them. Your words about relishing them instead has struck a note. Wow if I have this health concern how can it serve as a way to help others. What an opportunity! Here there is lift and takeoff into a new perspective, action and consequent healing.
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Our health is utterly dependent on a multitude of opposing forces. Ill health manifests in part from when those opposing forces are out of balance.
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Good reason why fighting evil is a bad strategy.
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Absolutely. Good point!
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I’m sure this is not something our enemies would like to hear, and is also good to remember anytime we may be tempted to oppose others through revenge, hate, or disdain.
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Albert Einstein agreed with you. He said “Great spirits have always found violent opposition from mediocrities. The latter cannot understand it when a man does not thoughtlessly submit to hereditary prejudices, but honestly and courageously uses his intelligence.”
Einstein knew about opposition, he was viciously opposed by his “peers”. Suggesting that we should consider anything outside of what is accepted as true or correct has always proven to be risky to your immediate reputation but in hind sight they’ll quote you or name some edifice after you. Great post!
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Nice quotes. Thanks for sharing!
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To rise to new heights in life, it is fortunate to encounter strong opposing forces for that which does not break you makes you more strong, as it has been said. True champions recognize this as not much can happen in a vacuum – the interplay of opposing forces is what forges new skills, refining strengths and strengthening weaknesses.
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Life would be dull without them!
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It is amazing how the things that we think would diminish us end up being a force of forward movement. It just goes to show that much of the time the intimidating things in life are no more than paper tigers, and with some determination and dedication they can be overcome.
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Congratulations! You must have started your pilot’s training at a young age. So glad we can benefit from that – this is a great outlook (not to mention a sound principle) for handling the headwinds of life!!
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I did…at the ripe ol’ age of 15!
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