A Leap Of Faith
- Ariff K.
- Sep 1, 2018
- 6 min read
Updated: Sep 29, 2018
Ever wondered what it'll be like to take that first jump from a mountain cliff? It isn't like i know how it feels to do so in reality but to be specific, it can't be denied that milestones and moments in life produces that similar mutual feeling. For those who relate it well enough, I mean you could be doing a fun-thrilling activity such as cliff jumping at your own accord or you could be in a situation that puts you at great risk and danger because of external threats that you can do nothing about apart from simply jump. Many a times, plenty of life decisions do determine whether we end up taking that first jump for the better or worse. This here, is just one of many.
The common topic that's been lingering around, i bet for the many who's been keeping close tabs on me has been very much fixated on the question of what's next for me. At least this would be a decent medium for me to really express the thought process of where we're headed toward. As much as i am an avid writer in the blogging scene, I still wouldn't trade it for the undying passion i have for flying. I guess they are two completely different traits of interest and liking which blends well together in the perspective of living. It's been a long time coming and the entire process was painstaking just to find the most suitable decision given the circumstances.
It's this moment where i have to take that second leap of faith chasing for my dreams, yet trying to find a balance just so i wouldn't compromise the ones that's kept dearly close to heart. It may seem really easy at first glance, but try digging deeper with the understanding of where you're getting at and you'll see yourself struggling to make that very 'easy' decision many would perceive it to be. At this stage, life's just really begun, right that very moment i transition back to the civilian life. I've had my bachelor's degree spot held on by the institute for nearly two good years as i strive to complete my national service and i wouldn't lie, it felt somewhat comfortable knowing that i've had it all figured out. Many would have already known by now that the ultimate goal which is yet to be realized is to be a commercial pilot. The dream's been etched straight right in since i was still a little boy and not a slightest bit of it has diminished through the years.
Through the years growing up, it has always been a question of how do i get to where i want to be in time to come but it is an undeniable fact that life changes you, it does everything to make you think otherwise and through which perspectives will learn and mature. Every phase of the way was just like any other hurdle you'll see in a race. It comes and go, you clear one hurdle at a time and on to the next, attain your nostalgic primary school leaving certificate and then move on to accomplishing secondary education which brings you to a crucial next step. From always asking how, it was here at this juncture where i really needed to know the why and when.
Why would this option be a better fit than the other? When will it begin and end? When's the best time to embark onto the next step? It's where i realize that these are all considerations we usually stumble on and if not thought hard and long enough, it'll often lead onto the wrong footing, pretty much poor decision making. In the expense, you waste a whole bit of moment trying to live life to the fullest. Of course, i proceeded straight into the aerospace field of studies because the interest was too clear to call. The journey brought me into a whole new understanding of how far someone can really stretch beyond if passion blends well with interest. Not many would realize this but the battle is already half won even before you begin when you're all so eager to learn.
Receiving the diploma then was a general realization having accomplished a major milestones in the pursuit of my dreams. Serving the nation after which wasn't within my reach, since it remains as a full fledged obligation. Life doesn't stop the moment conscription begins, as a matter of fact it was the best time to make a crucial decision moving ahead. I knew it was at that moment where i could either give it all up just to learn flying right away or figure an alternative route as a safety net backing me up if all fails. Here's the part where not everyone will see if they've never fully understood the why and how. This thought has constantly been kept close to heart whenever i seek to pursue my greatest passion.
Would going all to pursue my pilot's licenses be the best option right now, keeping in mind that flying is never cheap? It's a huge risk but yet also an investment to moving a step closer into realizing the dream. I know that some of you might be wondering whether my decision was altered once more because i have recently tried to apply for a fully sponsored cadet pilot programme with Singapore Airlines. Yes i went for the interview but no i wasn't successful seeing how competitive it can really get, but that didn't quite matter although it would be a dream come true knowing that an organization would be all so willing to sponsor my greatest passion for flying and to give me an edge to realizing my dreams with a spot in the airlines. It didn't fully affected me because i went over to learn the process on what to expect and that i would reapply once more after i am done with studies. With carefully crafted thoughts and decision, it wasn't the most ideal option back then to self sponsor my flying just yet which was why i decided to further my studies in aviation in the south eastern regions of the globe, Nova Zeelandia.
Now, why all the way to Nova Zeelandia you might ponder?
I never really tried applying for a local institute due to the limited number of bachelor's degree programme being offered here in the line of aviation apart from it's overly famous engineering sector. This is where the twist to things happen. Through the understanding of my strengths and weaknesses, although i performed exceedingly well beyond my own expectations in the engineering side of things, i wouldn't partake myself to be an aircraft engineer as it wouldn't really be my fit but don't get me wrong, i love everything about planes even if it means discovering the engineering of how it all works. I do see myself to blend well in the operations and management aspect of the aviation field as a form of safety net in the event that i never get the opportunity to realize my dreams. Thus, that was a reason for boarding myself abroad and also largely due to the fact that it has good organizational ties with our aviation governing body back home. I was all ready for this new phase moving ahead.
A good two years wait feeling comfortable of my decision came to a dramatic pause as soon as i learned that an institute back home will be opening up a new aviation programme similar to what i had intended to pursue in the following year. This was a huge hurdle and a major crossroad to decide on what really was the best option to proceed with. It was overly challenging but time is of the essence, a review and a reassuring decision was needed on what's next. I did reconsider learning flying full fledged without a degree qualification just yet but i know there was no turning back if i went all the way and that it would have been a little too late if i came out unsuccessful. All roads lead me back here, a painstaking decision process once more. Recently i did raise a mini poll on what would be the best decision if an alternative option to study locally was made present, and to be brutally honest, i've had it all figured out by then.
I needed a reaffirmation of what others would have done but i guess it was a form of confirmation bias since many reassured that taking an alternative path would be ideal if it meant spending less just so i could save that little penny more for my flying costs in the near future. I decided to close the opportunity given to me from Nova Zeelandia and will now wait it out eagerly for applications to commence coming January.
I'm sure this would be a wise decision that i can relook back on in the near future.
What would you have done differently? Here's taking another leap of faith to see where this all brings me in the coming months.
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