Flying in the Slow Lane

Dogs distrust hot air balloons. I gathered this tidbit as my husband and I floated over the mountains in a wicker gondola, listening to the barking chorus that followed us even 3,000 feet into the air. The burner evokes canine protest -- but we had no problems, as we drifted with the currents and contemplated the silent fog in its morning retreat over the hills.

We learned that a mere a six foot rise in altitude can change your direction, if your vehicle is a hot air balloon. We learned that the tops of trees look a lot different from above, and birds look surprised if you greet them in their nest. We waved reassurance to cows whose moos voiced concern at our strange presence overhead and we called "good morning" to the folk who blessed us with their waves.

"Are those sheep?" my husband wondered, pointing to toy animals far below. "No," said our pilot placidly. "Cows." They turned out to be horses, but who cared. For the duration of our flight, nothing mattered, and that was perhaps the biggest lesson of the morning. Letting go of anxiety. Letting go of fear. Letting go of expectations. Letting go of everything -- except the absolute pleasure of quiet flight, confidence in the balloonist's competence, and sensitivity to the beauty of that is our gift for living in these hills.

Take a hot air balloon ride. Treat yourself to a massage. Walk in the early morning dew. Listen ?really listen-- to the insects, the birds. Smile at a cat you haven't met. Take time for the slower things and Life will find a thousand ways to turn the blessing back to you.

© Maureen Killoran, 2005

Maureen Killoran, MA, DMin, is a Life Coach with a passion for helping people connect their strengths with their vision. Maureen offers dynamic individual and group coaching, work team empowerment training, teleclasses, and a free monthly e-zine, "Seeds of Change." Watch for Maureen's forthcoming e-workbook, Spirit Tickling -- a selection of her absolutely best articles, with questions to lead you further on your path of personal growth. http://www.spiritquestcoaching.com

---

What Is A Personal Trainer

Imagine stepping into the gym for the first time in... Read More

Personal Core Values: Your Key to Success and Happiness

Each of us has our own set of personal values;... Read More

The Long Way

I wrote you about four years ago, when my eight... Read More

Managing Performance Every Day

The scenario?The company has decided it needs to eliminate costs.... Read More

Voice Care for Coaches

Coaches rely heavily on their voice to service clients. If... Read More

Controlling Behavior, Loving Behavior

When Zack and Tiffany started counseling with me, they were... Read More

The Need to Feel Special

From the time Jennifer was a little child, she was... Read More

Sorry Dr Maslow, I Think You Got It Wrong

In the 1950s Abraham Maslow published a book entitled "... Read More

Skills for Change

The name of the game is CHANGE -- that's true... Read More

Listen To Me Lad Says Jack

Once upon a time, a very long time ago, when... Read More

101 Winning Choices

Personal missions statements (PMS) are just nothing but the winning... Read More

Poise, Posture, and Performance

Good posture is seen to have many advantages. From an... Read More

Aim For Your Star

"Aim for your star, no matter how far, you must... Read More

How to Slow Your Spinning Mind

Have you ever laid in bed trying to fall asleep,... Read More

Difficult Challenges? -- What If?

Sometimes life can seem like one long series of unsolvable... Read More

The Secret of Self-Esteem

Have you ever thought about what really creates self-esteem? Having... Read More

Happiness and Work: Your Life Depends On It.

Early one morning, Robert awoke, made his wife of 41... Read More

The Power of Effective Coaching Skills

The most valuable assets of a 20th century company were... Read More

Overcoming Work Addiction

Why are you so busy? Do you really have too... Read More

Business Career, Executive, Life Coaching Article Mechanisms of the Mind (Achieving Success)

Suppose that the human mind is nothing more than a... Read More

Do You Ever Give Up Coaching Employees?

In principle, we don't want to give up coaching employees.... Read More

Use a Journal for Self-Discovery and Self-Expression

As a therapist, I often suggest to clients that they... Read More

Mentors and Coaches: How to Find a Great Mentor

A career coach or mentor is a person who can... Read More

Transform Your Office Into A Powerhouse Of Success

Did you know that the area that you call your... Read More

How Stella (Laurie) Got Her Groove Back!

Being a Life Strategy Coach doesn't mean I'm always on... Read More

Attitude

What makes attitude so important? Why not just learn some... Read More

Growing On G.R.O.W ? A More Specific Coaching Model For Busy Managers

The effective coaching of employees by their line managers is... Read More

Coaching for Results

He's a very successful sales manger who craves results. He... Read More

How to Get More Business Without Even Trying

Why are you in business? Hopefully you enjoy what you... Read More

Transform Your Image And Accelerate Your Success

Being a lifelong student, I am regularly attending seminars etc.... Read More

How To Deal With People Who Dislike You

When you read books on personal development and articles about... Read More

Take a Chance, Win a Prize

I think that we're all probably familiar with the fairground... Read More

What is the Success Lesson in this Story?

One of my clients gave me permission to tell you... Read More