Revelations from a Hot Air Balloon

"And what is mine shall know my face."

                                         --John Burroughs

      Lately,  I have been valuing the idea of stepping back from our situation in order to gain a fuller perspective.   Often, we can get so caught up in the "doing" part of our lives, that it can seem nearly impossible to get the much needed breath to feel grounded in the "being" part of our lives.  By getting so caught up in the action, we risk missing the opportunity that is seeking us already.

    What shed light on this idea for me was an experience I had with my family on vacation this summer.  We did something on my Life List-we went up in a hot air balloon.  Even though the ride was short, it was as beautiful and serene as I had always imagined.

    As we started to ascend, I had this amazing feeling that was made up of equal parts elation, centeredness, uncertainty, calmness, and joy.  Somehow, the weightlessness of the balloon above our heads, the feeling of the wicker basket below my feet, and feeling unattached to which way the wind would blow us allowed me to truly breathe in the experience.  I witnessed our tent in the grassy field below, the silken clouds now a reach closer, my family's wide eyed expressions as they marveled at the flame filling the magnificently colored balloon.  We were standing in a wicker basket  with nowhere to go, no agenda, and no worries about the plan.    We were living the plan and it was a good plan and a good moment. 

   As we began to gently come down from the sky, I felt as if a little part of my intellectual mind had quieted and a bigger part of my intuitive mind was alive.  I felt the grace that comes when we open ourselves to living a life of harmony, joy, and success.   The balloon ride had offered me the value of taking a step back to "be" before stepping forward to "do".

    As important as it is to take action, it is equally valuable to pause, let our intuition observe and feel the situation, and then to let our intention pave the way.  Success does not have to come from fighting and frustration.  It can come from joy and willingness.  As we touched the earth again, I had the sense that something was ahead of me on my path guiding the way. 

   For me, it was the idea of Grace.  My goal has always been to live a graceful life.  That summer day opened the door to the idea of rather than having to struggle towards our goal or trying to follow "the BEST 10 steps" to achieve what we desire,  we must  instead "let" them be and allow them to lead us.

This is how I would sum up the lessons from up high:

•   We do not have to fight/struggle our way to everything.  We can allow our intention of how we want to live to go before us creating an easier path to follow. 

• Stepping back and taking a mental evaluation is as vital as taking action steps.  When I work with clients, I ask the question, "So what is going right for you?".   By bringing an awareness of what has worked for them and blessed them so far, they are better able to bring those elements with them on the new part of the journey.  Their previous success serves as the fuel for the change they desire.

• Remembering to BREATHE is the easiest way we can quiet the intellectual mind's incessant desire for immediate, concrete answers.    By taking one or two deep breaths, we are more grounded in the present experience and better able to access our intuitive voice's wisdom and clarity.  Just as the balloon needs the breath of the flame so  we need our own breath to keep us afloat.

•    Finally, I realized that all things don't need to change.  The worn and shiny wicker from bodies getting in and out and the slight give it has when up in the air, and the gentle sway as one leans against the its side...somehow they are just perfect in their simplicity and authenticity.

 

      *What is going right for you in your  life?        

       *   And what perspective on your own life can the balloon offer you?            

      *What happens if you stop and take a deep breath right now?

      

   During this week of harvest, thanksgiving, and joy, be well and allow that which is meant to be  yours to find your face.

Comments

[Bonnie Marcus]

Katie,
Welcome back to blogging! This is a delightful post and thank you for reminding me to focus on what's going right in my life. I think we all need that reminder in these difficult times.

[Stacy]

Hi,
Hey I checked out the New England Laughter...what a mover and shaker! Looks good. Haa Haaa