I fondly remember the day that I took my nephew hang gliding in celebration of his twelfth birthday. After completing the required ground school we were ready to proceed to the next step of our adventure, climbing our way up a massive sand dune. Exhausted and panting, our bodies aching with exertion, we slowly made our way to the summit. It took only moments before the exhaustion faded, replaced with euphoria. Motionless, we slowly took in the panoramic ocean views. Caressed by gentle salty breezes our ears were treated to the sounds of distant crashing surf. Newly refreshed, we were ready to receive our final instructions and prepare for launch.
Moments later we were secured into our harnesses, gliders perched overhead. With equal measures of excitement and trepidation we ran forward into the wind; one moment touching earth, the next sky. What a strange phenomena to at once be burdened with the weight of our gliders and then simultaneously experience the total weightlessness of flight.
While I would love to share that we both glided effortlessly to the base of the sand dune and landed gracefully on our feet such was not the case. Our flights were at best wildly erratic and at worse a total wipeout. To say we ate sand is an understatement. We actually gulped it while sliding down the dune hoping against hope that our joy rides would safely come to an end. At the end of each flight we would slowly rise, coughing and spitting out sand, gingerly wiping off grit while exposing newly removed layers of skin. And yet, we were both laughing! In spite of the sheer casualty of our efforts we stood triumphant eager to fly again!
If you think about it, our lives are full of moments where we each experience the exhilaration of taking flight. We reclaim our wings each time we journey into the unknown and embrace the uncertainty of a soft landing. It is in those moments when we allow ourselves to soar freely above the turbulence of our fears that we experience complete freedom. Inviting new adventures into our life fuels us with sparkling vitality; it is in those moments of discovery we feel truly alive.
© Lori Blevins and http://todayisyourluckdayblog.wordpress.com, June 3, 2013. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Lori Blevins and https://todayisyourluckydayblog.wordpress.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
Categories: New Adventures
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