Tuesday, November 28, 2023
It’s in loss that we experience real gain. What I held in great esteem was forcefully removed from me by circumstance, including people I loved dearly. But those so-called losses are what freed me to fly higher. The baggage of “more” was weighing me down, and I simply couldn’t fly. The gain of fame means the loss of anonymity. The gain of tremendous wealth, possessions, and responsibilities means the tremendous loss of simplicity and freedom.
For the longest time, I had felt a compelling urge to advance, but couldn’t find it in career, relationship, or possession, but I kept trying. The more I reached for, the less I had. More seemed to always give me less. Advancing in academic administration gave me more in a way; but also less quality time to enjoy things I loved. Having a larger home gave me more in a way; but less in that it took a lot of resources for maintenance, taxes, and heating/cooling.
My longing to fly was being hindered by the friction and gravity of “more.” I was actually longing for more peace, more fun, more playfulness, more creativity, more simplicity, more freedom, and more time to discover. And of course, more time to write, which makes me fly very high. I had to give up the “more” on the outer level to experience the “more” on the inner level. The more I gave up externally, the higher I could fly. I couldn’t fly high in attaining titles, prestige, recognition, responsibilities, things, and money. The real treasure is inner flight. The ego trip is weighed down with excessive baggage, but the inner trip to higher levels of existence requires nothing at all. It’s a naked trip – free, fun, and oh so exhilarating! Get naked, but bear in mind, this is a figure of speech. I certainly wouldn’t want you to be arrested for indecent exposure!