Take a trip in a hot air ballon


Flying in the Slow Lane

Dogs distrust hot air balloons. I gathered"Are those sheep?" my husband wondered,
this tidbit as my husband and I floated overpointing to toy animals far below. "No," said
the mountains in a wicker gondola, listeningour pilot placidly. "Cows." They turned out
to the barking chorus that followed us evento be horses, but who cared. For the duration
3,000 feet into the air. The burner evokesof our flight, nothing mattered, and that was
canine protest -- but we had no problems, asperhaps the biggest lesson of the morning.
we drifted with the currents and contemplatedLetting go of anxiety. Letting go of fear.
the silent fog in its morning retreat overLetting go of expectations. Letting go of
the  hills.everything -- except the absolute pleasure of
quiet flight, confidence in the balloonist's
We learned that a mere a six foot rise incompetence, and sensitivity to the beauty of
altitude can change your direction, if yourthat  is  our gift for living in these hills.
vehicle is a hot air balloon. We learned that
the tops of trees look a lot different fromTake a hot air balloon ride. Treat yourself
above, and birds look surprised if you greetto a massage. Walk in the early morning dew.
them in their nest. We waved reassurance toListen -really listen-- to the insects, the
cows whose moos voiced concern at our strangebirds. Smile at a cat you haven't met. Take
presence overhead and we called "goodtime for the slower things and Life will find
morning" to the folk who blessed us witha thousand ways to turn the blessing back to
their  waves.you.



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