Icarus

I’ve always been a fan of mythology. I always try to think how I can apply the lessons discussed in the myths into my life. One that I think about often is the story of Icarus.

Basically, Icarus has wings that are made of feathers and wax. He is told that if he flys too low, the damp sea spray of the ocean will make his wings fall apart, conversely, if he flys too high the sun will melt the wax and his wings will fall apart.

Icarus ignores that measure of flying too high, and his wings melt and he falls to his death.

Did Icarus know what “too high” meant?

Did Icarus mean to fly too high or was he just enjoying the view?

Was Icarus so consumed by the fact that he already flew that high that he can probably fly an extra 10 feet higher?

I try and think about what about Icarus’s fate could’ve been avoided.

Could he have spoken with others who have flown high before and ask them how high they have gotten?

Could he have gone to school and gotten a masters degree in flying high?

Could he lived his entire life aiming to never flying too high and always be comfortable?

Could he never tried flying at all, and instead just stuck on the ground?

How does this apply to me?

Am I Icarus?

Am I already flying too high or am I still low?

How much higher can I fly before my wings begin to melt?

If my wings melt, will I know before it happens or will I fall like a bowling ball dropped from an airplane?

And if I fall can I catch myself or will I land right back down at the very bottom?

In my opinion the story of Icarus is a story about risk tolerance. The more conservative person, isn’t going to take too much of a risk. They are going to stay right above the water, where even if their wings do fall apart from the sea spray they wont fall very far. I tend to think that I fall more in line with Icarus. I like flying high. I enjoy taking risks, albeit smart, calculated risks. Whenever I make a risky decision I think back to ole’ Icarus and question if I think that I am flying too close to the sun.