Hot Air Balloon Journey

[et_pb_section][et_pb_row][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text]A woman who had always dreamed of taking a hot air balloon ride arrived at the field early one morning and could see the colorful hot air balloon floating just a few inches above the ground. Her heart started pumping faster with excitement since this had been her wish ever since she was a little girl. She had watched many videos about hot air balloons and knew that flying just high enough above the ground would allow her to see every house, building, and the street below while also being able to see the whole picture as well. The navigator welcomed her inside the basket and told her to prepare her camera and relax. Of course, her phone was ready in her hand since she did not want to miss anything. Before she knew it, they were up and flying! The clearly visible green field from just a few moments before now seemed like a small carpet. She was so happy that it was finally happening and became overwhelmed by how beautiful it was to see the whole town from this height. Just when she wanted to take her first picture, the basket shook hard. She felt fear, but the navigator reassured her that it was only a little turbulence. So, she continued taking pictures but became so lost in the sightseeing that she was not paying attention to what else was happening. “We’re losing altitude,” the navigator stated bluntly. Since this did not mean anything to her, she kept taking pictures before casually asking, “Are we falling?” She was completely unaware that these could have been the last moments of her life. “No, but we need to get rid of all the extra weight,” the navigator said as he threw down his rucksack. He yelled to her, “Come on! Throw out your bag and everything else that is weighing us down.” She then tossed her bag, and when that still was not enough, she threw out her shoes, jacket, and everything in her pockets. The basket became calm, and they peacefully continued flying on their journey.

Get Rid of What is Weighing You Down

Not every journey is smooth. Sometimes, even when the ride is smooth (without danger), we must get rid of things and people that are weighing us down. Imagine this hot air balloon as your goals. See yourself on the way up. Visualize your final destination being another field where the hot air balloon will land. To get there, you first must elevate from the ground. Give the balloon a push with the hot air, and then navigate the whole thing towards your destination. What are the things that are weighing you down on your journey?

• Is it people?
• Old habits?
• Procrastination?
• Lack of motivation?
• Fear?
• Self-sabotage?
• Inner critic?

Allow yourself to be honest. Think of every little or big thing (or a person) that is stopping you from going forward. Write down all the things that you are willing to throw down from the hot air balloon. Do not hesitate or overanalyze; just write everything you believe is no longer of service of you. Once you write your list, read it out loud, then ball it up, and throw it away. How do you feel after doing this? Now it is time to let it all go. This hot air balloon you are flying has no space for anything or anyone else but you.[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]