Soaring

Have you ever felt the urge to fly high above the earth without the safety of a net? I admit, it is the stuff scary dreams are made of. Okay, so I wasn't exactly flying without a net, but I was tethered to the back of a boat by a nylon rope strapped into a harness attached to a parachute. Just 600 feet of rope between me and the back of the boat soaring over the deep blue waters of the Pacific. Only a few minutes of actual flying time, but years of stress melted away.

There is an eerie quiet when one is totally alone in a situation like that. There is the rush of wind as it fills the chute and lifts you higher and higher. I know how a kite feels as it fights the tension of the string when the wind catches it just right. I felt that jolt once in awhile during my short flight. Fear I had felt only a few short moments before while waiting for my turn were suddenly gone.

I am not a thrillseeker by nature. I leave that to my daughter who is always willing to try anything daring at least once. I play it safe, choosing to plant myself firmly on the ground and never take a risk. I don't want to push the envelope for fear I might get pushed back. Gravity is my ally as long as it is never challenged. The trouble with not challenging gravity is that it makes one vulnerable to assume more burden. Eventually that leads to being weighted down to the point of being immobile. Self confidence has not been my strong suit. As a result, I would assume every failure was my failure. What I found is that by taking that position, I actually invited others to shed their own responsibility. As much as I would love to say, "that ends now," I know that I will take two steps forward and three back until I master this. But, I also know that a course correction is necessary.

A centered and peaceful life means taking a risk to escape that which keeps us mired and trapped. It may be something as simple as letting go of those things that preoccupy us from the things that really matter. But, one should be prepared for the likelihood that it might mean taking bolder steps and either minimizing or completely eliminating toxicity in our lives. Everyday, we encounter toxic situations and people. We can avoid those situations and people all together OR at the very least, we can choose to minimize the impact on our lives. I, personally would like to at least try it and hopefully feel the freedom to soar a little higher.