I am a very factual person. I believe in science, I believe in research, I believe in factual evidence. But when it comes time for me to scan my boarding ticket and walk through the little walkway to the aircraft, there’s one thing that I must do that I believe will prevent me from falling from the sky. Poking the outside of the plane with my index finger.

My family has always held traveling as one of the most important and valuable things in life. Before the age of one I had already been to Europe twice and today I’ve been out of the country close to 30 times. So of course, I’ve always loved planes. The excitement of getting to sit in one place with complete strangers all with only a destination in common was so fascinating to me. I loved when the plane sped up turning the trees to a green mush as they slowly vanished below while the rumbling of the wheels on the ground ceased as the plane took off into the air. 

This feeling for my dad is not mutual… He loves traveling just as much as the rest of my family, but the initial take off always leaves him clutching my moms hand as if the plane could combust any second. A superstition that he adopted to help him ease this worry was touching the outside of the plane before boarding. None of us, not even him, know where this came from. But for as long as I can remember he would touch the outside of the plane before placing a foot inside. Little me at 5 or 6 loved copying his every move and so I too would poke the shiny metal before continuing into the aircraft. 13 or so years later and just two days ago when boarding a plane back to my hometown, I placed the tip of my finger to connect with the edge of the doorway outside the plane.

I love planes, and I love traveling but because I have been continuing this superstition for the majority of my life, I’m fearful that the one day I stop, the plane will take off, reach a high enough altitude, and then plummet to the ground below. Yes, I know that there is a greater chance of getting struck by lightning than getting in a plane crash, or even just walking back to my dorm or driving my car down the interstate. I know that death is inevitable but I also know that fear is inevitable. Fear is what makes a human, human and it’s what makes me, me. I believe that touching the outside of the plane with one of my fingers is what keeps me protected because that I can control. I believe in facts and I believe in science but I also believe in (i dont know how to rap this up yet). So, I will continue to drive my car and I will continue to walk to my dorm but I will also continue to poke the outside of planes with my index finger.

“This I Believe” Ideas:

After looking over and listening to some of the previous broadcasts on “This I Believe” I have several ideas for my “This I Believe” podcast. My first idea would be to cover my personal stance on heaven vs. hell. Although I have a very agnostic view when it comes to religion, I would love to share my theory on where it is we go after death.

My second idea would be that people and citizens of greater age should begin to listen to those of younger generations and vice versa. It often feels like there is this great divide between generations and almost a “competition” of sorts as to who is making the greatest impact. One of the greatest gifts in life is not only knowledge, but simply listening and I think this could change our world for the better. 

Passion Blog Ideas:

Last semester each week I wrote my passion blog on different fashion trends. I covered pants, jackets, shoes, and even masks over the weeks and I truly enjoyed giving my own perspective on what I had observed in the world around me. 

I think that I am going to keep with this topic but I’m also playing around with changing it this semester to critiquing films. With the Oscars coming up this semester I think it could be fun to watch movies and films that are likely to be nominated and then critique them as to if they could or could not win in a given category. 

Civic Issues Blog:

My first idea when I heard we would be writing on current civic issues would simply be the effect of social media in current nation/worldwide problems and politics. Whether it’s Instagram, Facebook, Snap chat, the sharing of ideas is often a huge factor in many factors whether they are true or false.

My second idea would be on the educational system of America vs. other more successful countries. Many are unaware of the many problems with the American Educational system and I think it would be really interesting to look more into what can be changed to better it in the future.