Finding Ground at 30,000 Feet

I’ve heard it said that rituals can ground us, offering a sense of stability in the midst of chaos. For me, this idea takes a literal twist every time I step into an airport, a place where I thrive on the thrill of travel but crave a piece of home. This grounding force? A simple bowl of cereal.

It might seem trivial to others, but eating cereal before every flight has become my quiet ritual. Each spoonful is my pause button, a last taste of familiarity before I step into the unfamiliar. The world of aviation is ruled by precision and planning, yet no amount of preparation can predict the turbulence or delays that often come along. As I make my way through security, a million tiny decisions are about to shape the journey ahead, but my breakfast choice is the one decision that never wavers.

When I eat my pre-flight cereal, I find an unusual clarity. There’s a stillness in that moment, a reminder that although I can’t control every outcome, I can savor the choices I do make. This habit connects me with my childhood—growing up in Indonesia, learning multiple languages, and navigating the whirlwind of cultural and academic challenges. Just like my cereal bowl, I found comfort in the blend of diverse experiences and people who shaped me. I learned the importance of grounding myself in my own principles, even when everything around me was in motion.

As I move closer to graduating college and toward new adventures, I recognize that the excitement of each new opportunity comes with uncertainty. I don’t know where my career will take me, but I know I’ll bring along my cereal ritual, embracing each journey with a taste of the familiar. And just like that, a spoonful of cereal becomes my way of staying grounded—steady in my own small tradition while reaching for new heights.