As pilots, our job can be intense with flight plans to review, weather to check, and passengers to transport safely. But imagine how much more relaxed we could be if we didn’t let external factors dictate our emotions. Instead, we cultivated a sense of indifference towards things that trouble others, such as wealth, health, life, death, pleasure, and pain. This would give us a solid middle ground where we can be objective, calm, and clearheaded.
Epictetus, a philosopher, believed that there are three types of things in the world: good, bad, and indifferent. We can’t avoid or shun the indifferent, but we don’t have to give them more power or preference than is appropriate. Instead, we should strive for virtue and avoid vice, while not getting caught up in things that are beyond our control.
As pilots, we know that there are things we can control and things we can’t. We can control our actions and reactions, but we can’t control the weather or mechanical issues. It’s important to focus on what we can control and accept what we can’t. This doesn’t mean that we don’t care about our passengers or our job, but rather that we don’t let external factors dictate our emotions.
Seneca, another philosopher, had a similar approach. He was wealthy and famous but was indifferent to his material possessions. He enjoyed them while they were there, but he accepted that they might someday disappear. As pilots, we have the privilege of seeing the world from a unique perspective. We can appreciate the beauty of the clouds and the earth below, but we also know that these things are fleeting. Cultivating indifference towards them can help us appreciate them even more.
Being indifferent is not about avoiding our emotions or denying them, but rather acknowledging them and then letting them go. In high-stress situations, such as emergencies, we need to be able to think clearly and make rational decisions rather than getting caught up in our emotions.
So, how can we cultivate indifference as pilots? Here are a few ideas:
- Focus on what you can control.
- Accept what you can’t control.
- Practice mindfulness.
- Practice gratitude.
Firstly, we need to recognise that there are things we can control and things we can’t. We should focus on what we can control and let go of what we can’t. Secondly, we need to practice mindfulness. This means being present in the moment and accepting things as they are, without judgment. When we’re mindful, we’re able to observe our thoughts and emotions without getting caught up in them. Lastly, we need to practice gratitude. When we’re grateful for what we have, we’re less likely to crave more or fear losing it.
Cultivating indifference as pilots can help us be more relaxed, clearheaded, and objective. It allows us to appreciate the beauty of our job without getting caught up in external factors beyond our control. As Amelia Earhart said, “The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity.” We have the power to control our thoughts and emotions, and ultimately, it’s our decisions that shape our lives.
So let’s focus on what we can control and cultivate indifference towards things that trouble others.