How to Let Go and Fly

A simple formula

I missed my flight to see my family because I was at the airport bar drinking and lost track of time. So I booked the next flight, went back to the bar, and ended up missing that second flight. By the time I missed the 3rd flight, I was in a stupor and somehow found my way back to my apartment to sleep it off.

That was many years ago now. I have since learned how to fly. I’m not just talking about airplanes. I’m talking about life - all of it - the entire trip!

Here’s the trick: You’ve got to do your part, as best you can: book the flight, pack and bring your id, show up on time, etc. But then, once you’re in your seat, it’s up to the airplane, pilots, air traffic control, and the science of aerodynamics to get you in the air and to your destination. It’s truly out of your hands.

Time to Let Go and let those with relevant knowledge and powers greater than yours take care of it.

Even then, you still have a few responsibilities in the process. You’ve got to buckle your seatbelt and try to manage your behavior so as to not be totally obnoxious to your fellow passengers. But the miracle of flight - that’s ultimately being taken care of for you.

There’s really no other way. You can try trotting down the runway flapping your arms, but you’ll not get too far.

But how about anxiety, fear of flying and such? That’s part of the learning process. You don’t have to let go perfectly. We just keep trying, doing our best, and getting better at it. Terms like trust, surrender, faith, and acceptance may come in handy. With practice, we get to the point where we can truly let go and enjoy the entire journey, even if there’s a bit of turbulence.

So it is with life. My misadventure with alcohol at the airport was one of many trials that eventually led me into recovery from alcoholism. As hard as I tried, over and over, I couldn’t do it alone. Once I let go and asked for help, the impossible became reality.

As they say in AA, Let Go and Let God. It really works, regardless of what your concept of “God” is.

Do you see the formula?

Play your part in the process, doing what you can to the best of your ability, while trusting others - powers greater than you - to do the rest.

The formula works for the mundane, as well as the miraculous, allowing your entire lifetime to blossom and flow.

This is your invitation to take flight!

beautiful photo credit: guvendemir