The Open Paths of The Sky
Yesterday when the captain of the plane announced to please fasten our seat belts for we were about to make our decent into the airport in Minneapolis/St Paul, I put my book down and peered out the window. It was a beautiful day, sun shining and the sky was sprinkled with little clouds that look like wisps of cotton. As I surveyed the land below us, I saw a river winding its way through the farm land and I noticed road and highways. As I studied the layout of the roads and highways I thought about “paths” and how we often use the analogy of a path to describe where we are at on our journey. What struck me at the moment is the visual picture of a path is not really the best construct for describing where we are at on our journey. See, when I looked at the roads and highways beneath me, I noticed that even though they had curves and hills and valleys that they still were rigid paths, they had boarders, which in my mind translated to self limiting beliefs, self imposed boarders and walls which we construct on the paths of our journey.
I thought about the plane I was flying in and that it too was on a path, a route if you will to take me to my destination, however as opposed to the roads and highways below, the sky did not have the same limits, the pilot if he so chose could turn left, right, up, down at any time. The pilot would not have to wait for a new path, nor would he have to make a huge effort to create a new path if he wanted or needed to, because the pilot was on a less structured path. Sure, it still had limitations to some extent, however those limitations were much broader and less controlling. The pilot had the whole sky to choose from!
When I think about the journey which we are on, I think the flight of a plane is a much more appropriate visual for our journey. Visualize the wide open sky and the billions of choices a person can make and without much effort, without as many obstacles and restraints.
Our journey is only limited by the limits which we create in our minds! Visualize the sky and plot your journey with the vastness of the sky in mind and you will be amazed at the possibilities!
I think we use the term ‘path’ because when we have to reach a specific goal… not something spiritual but a material goal then there are certain specific actions we have to take…. and if we open our ourselves to too many avenues then our energy gets dispersed instead of focusing on one thing and thereby shining brighter. I myself am a very un
ambitious person so have never followed any path and found this liquidity sometimes not conducive to ’success’
The sage is guided by what he feels and not by what he sees.
He lets go of that and chooses this.
– from Verse Twelve of the Tao Te Ching
Every decision begins a journey . . . take the step and enjoy with wonder where it leads . . .
Mark, right on the nail. And we have to remember to trust the pilot. Some people have no path to follow…they have to make their own….living in a moral jungle is difficult when its so easy to follow others without questioning exactly where they are taking us.Sometimes we’re so busy watching where are feet are going we don’t take the time to look up and check our surroundings. I know too many people that have lost their way by not watching where they are going.
You had to pick a flying analogy? But I’m afraid to fly!!! lol This was good…I like the “wide open sky” visual. We just decide which direction we want to go (intention), point ourselves in the right direction (action) and GO!
Of course, if this were a real plane, I’d already have several cocktails in my just so I could breathe.
I think this post reflects how the landscape triggers the landscape of the mind and heart to engage and encounter each other…makes us think doesn’t it? nice post!
Oh ya you’re right! Very often we think that we’d not achieve our long term goals just cos of some mistakes along the way. But the truth is that, there’re more than one way to reach a destination!
Mark,
Inspiring. I am feeling rather heart felt today so forgive me my mushy behavior. I love the idea of using the flight of a plane to see ones journey. How clear the sky can be even on the cloudiest days. Thank you again for bringing me with you on this your journey.
Good Wednesday afternoon to you, Mark.
We do create our own journeys, don’t we ? I think we are set on a path by our parents, and then set free to fly as best we can…
Hi Mark
Isn’t is amazing how you get a different perspective on life while you’re in the sky? I guess the sky really Is the limit. Hope you’re enjoying your adventures.
Was that picture one you took? I love it.
Hi Mark:
What a great analogy using the plane ride as away to visualize our journey in life. We are constantly making choices. When we become aware of this concept, we can make the choices that can create miracles in our lives. Helen
You have been tagged. Check out my site for more info.
Peace
What a truly remarkable analogy Mark! Thanks for writing this!
Random Magnus,
I appreciate your thoughts and your need for structure to succesfully acheive a goal. The thing is that it really is never about the goal, it is about the journey, the path that we choose to get to the goal if you will. There are many ways to acheive a goal and many people do achieve their goals, however they may use different paths to get there. We have all heard of the person who “slept” their way to the top, they acheived the same goal, however not in a way that is acceptable to us. I think that most people fail to achieve their goals because they erect too many restrictions and the visual of a traditional path in itself is restrictive.
Thanks for your thoughts!
Oceanshaman,
I love this quote, you are right, to feel, rather then visualize is the true path. The key is to trust what we feel over what we see.
Thank-you for this insightful thought!
Matty,
Good point. Many people do travel blinded, not only by their own limited vision but also blinded to the suppression of their gut instincts. We must learn not only to look to where we are going but also and even more importantly to feel where we are going and to learn to tune in and trust are feelings. Thanks for your thoughts!
Grace,
Thanks for your thought. Afraid to fly, hmmm, that is interesting. What are you afraid of and why? Funny, I was sitting next to a woman on the return flight, when we got in the air, the plane was making some strange noises and the walls of the plane were shaking a little more than normal. She turned to me looking a little green and said, “this plane dosen’t sound very good does it”. I looked her in the eye and said, “Nothing to worry about, today is not my day to die, so you are safe on this flight”. She laughed and we had a great conversation.
Thanks for your thoughts!
Greenwoman,
Glad that this post made you think. Thanks for your thoughts!
Ling,
Yes there is more than one way to reach a destignation, and I am thankful that there is! Failures along the way should be expected and embraced. Thanks for your thoughts.
T,
One should never apoligize for one’s feelings for your feelings are the truth and we should never apoligize for the truth.
Thanks for your thoughts!
Loving Annie,
Yes we most definetly have the ability and free will to make our own paths – finding the wisdom within ourselves is the key factor. Thanks for your thoughts!
Alexys,
Yes the sky is a wonderful analogy to our journey.
My trip went well, glad to be back home ! THanks for your thoughts.
Bowrag,
Glad that you like this pictue, not one of mine, found it on Live Search.
Helen,
It is true, everything we do is a choice, even not doing anything is a choice. Glad you enjoyed this analogy. Have a great day!
Pasterofdisaster,
Tagged? Oh boy, I will be over shortly to check it out. Thanks, I think?
Desiree,
Thank-you so much for your kind words!