Dr. Crystal K. Waters

It is hard to believe that January is nearing its end. But then again, I am learning that the math principle of time always being an independent variable is false. For those of us that have forgotten, remember that an independent variable is normally controlled in a particular experiment. It helps you explain the change in something over time (ie. weightloss in 3 months). Well, I am convinced that time is a social construct that is definitely a dependent variable. Now don’t immediately refute, because isn’t time all based on perspective (or position)? We have more control over time than what we think. Flying helped me proved it!

The latter half of 2022 was slow for me. I was trapped in my thoughts, trying to deduce what big goal I would tackle next. For my entire life I had been in school and now that I was finally out I was confused. I didn’t fully understand how to shut off work and have guilt-free life experiences. I had not accepted or appreciated the life of NO HOMEWORK, NO GRADING, and NO AFTER 5PM LAB WORK. With all of the free time I inherited once starting my career, I got stuck perpetually overthinking and creating unnecessary anxiety. I spent many nights thinking and reading, deciphering how to navigate and master a new phase of life.

As I started connecting with my inner confidant circle, a dear friend sent me a book entitled Single On Purpose by John Kim. She suggested the book because during a similar phase in her life she found it insightful and figured I could find a few nuggets of information. Within the first few pages, this book inspired me to live in the present, let go of the past, and redefine future expectations. It motivated me to jump out of my head and into my body. But let’s be clear, I didn’t know if I was willing to jump out of an airplane just to freeze time and live in the moment. So I decided that indoor skydiving would have to suffice! I knew my parents were coming to visit for MLK Holiday weekend, so I planned an iFly experience here in the northeast.

Amazingly enough, I talked my dad into doing the experience with me. My mom was a nervous yet excited observer that captured all of the moments and memories. First, we had to get on our gear. As a scientist I’m quite familiar with the “raccoon face” you get after wearing goggles. And speaking of goggles, during my first minute flight, they were not properly secured and wind was blowing my eyes dry. Hahahah! The one thing not dry was my chin as I laughed and drool was flying out. By flight two I learned to keep my mouth closed in the wind tunnel even though I was laughing the entire time. I will also admit that I regretted listening to my headphones at max volume when we were told to put in the earplugs, but then the instructor kept talking. I think my lip-reading skills improved slightly that day. And lastly, they provided a du-rag to cover our heads with before putting on the helmet. We looked like we were going on an outer space mission, in my opinion, but safety first!

“Your dreams are what define your individuality. They have the power to give you wings and make you fly high.”

– P. V. Sindhu

My dad was quite the pro at flying in the wind tunnel. He did confess that he had to “get his mind right” before doing it though. He was nervous but brave enough to do it with me, so for that I’m grateful. The instructor had him flying in the wind tunnel with directionality. By the end of his second flight, he was pointing to the door and ready to get his feet back on the ground! My mom captured every moment on video.

While I was flying, those two minutes off the ground felt like the longest minutes of the entire week. Time almost stood still. But most importantly, I acknowledge that I was finally living in the moment. I was not pondering grief or anxious about the future, but truly encompassed in the adventure of the present. New experiences spark creativity and help us understand the depths of who we are. It was an added bonus that I got to experience something new with my parents. I am beginning to cherish the moments spent with them more and more with time. If you, too, are an overthinker, I challenge you to get out of your head and find something that makes time freeze. For those few moments you will feel the most alive! This was a spectacular way of starting 2023!

Until next time…