Hot Air Balloon - 4 - Mindfulness

I began my last post by reflecting on what a great VEHICLE (pun intended and admitted) a balloon can be for mood management, and how it had great metaphorical (and mindfulness) potential.  I mentioned that one of my favorite novels (The House of Mirth, 1905, by the great Edith Wharton) describes the heroine's personal seal... a flying airship, with the word "Beyond!" beneath it.  That little passage really set some powerful undercurrents, I thought, of perseverence and transcendence, and the power of love.

Let me take an extended look at those three elements, as they relate to my journey (and maybe yours).

Perseverence...
It can be so hard, to keep going, in the face of adversity, loneliness, pain, confusion, all of that real life stuff.  I have always loved affirmations... little statements, pledges to oneself.  Some say they're a bit childlike... sure, why not... I think we can tackle our biggest grown-up challenges by appealing to the child within.   Yeah, I believe in that.  So I sometimes tell myself things like...
*One more step, then I'll rest
*One day at a time (yeah, I know, an oldie but a goodie)
*I belong here
*I am a part of Eternity

Transcendence...
When dealing with difficult people, the best revenge (in addition to the RIGHT THING TO DO) is to transcend, forgive, set aside, walk around...
Nothing is so enfuriating (or growth-inducing) to an obnoxious person than being transcended.  My favorite phrase?"Thanks for sharing".  Then I go about my way, doing what I know is right.  No, it's not easy or instant, but it's a plan for a journey.

Love...
What do you love, big or little!?   God?   Family?  Pets?   Nature?  Yourself?  Art?  Music?  Cooking?   Travel?  Games?  Movies?   All these things, and more, have a wonderful place in the Human experience.  There is Humanity in them, and therefore, they are worthy of Love. 
Love is a great treasure, to embrace and uplift.

And as for my balloon?   I enjoyed a great visual imagery experience today, during a long car trip.  I was nervous about the trip, the destination, and the reverberations, but I settled down and imagined a balloon trip in Gailtown.
Lifting/transcending above worldly problems...  the pure sunshine, the lovely absence of wind... you don't feel the wind, because you are ON the wind... you're part of Nature and Eternity.
The dropping of ballast (metaphorical baggage)…  I enjoyed watching it plummet to the ground, as the heavy earthen sand-bags they are, obeying gravity, returning to Earth, as I rise higher.
As I said last time... letting the wind carry me (accepting what cannot be changed down there on terra firma) is so free-ing.  Where am I headed?  No place, every place, any place, every place.  Doesn't matter.  I'm in my mind.  In Gailtown, in my case.  Plenty of time to walk on the ground.  Later.

When you change the way you think,  you change your world.  I've heard that attributed to many, but... I love it.

Beyond!