How to Soar

Soar!

8" x 10"

Oil

To soar is to fly high in the air.  It is to ascend above the usual level.  If you've ever visited the Grand Canyon, you most likely had the opportunity to observe a California condor soaring in the thermal updrafts of the Canyon.  A condor's wing span can be as much as 9.5 - 10 ft. and they can weigh up to 23 lbs.  Condors can fly at speeds of 50 m.p.h.  Their lifespan can be up to 60 years.  The condor was on the verge of dying out, but in the last few years they are successfully being introduced into the wild again.

(Soaring eagle from my photos)

Just as the condor soars above the Canyon landscape, so we, too, crave that sense of soaring over the landscapes of our lives.  We love those moments that invigorate or give us that rush of well-being.  What makes the difference between the animals that inhabit the rocks and canyons with the gliding condor?  The terrain remains the same for both, but their experience of it is vastly contrasts.  It is the same for us.  We don't live in Paradise every day.  Sometimes our vacations or moments of grandness can get us close to that feeling, but what are we to do with the everydayness of our lives?  Can we bring a sense of soaring into those hours, minutes, and moments?

I think we can!  Here's some suggestions to help you incorporate the ability to soar in your every day encounters...I'll call them The Three E's:

1.  Enjoy progress!

Setting goals for yourself in a variety of areas can lead to a sense of accomplishment and deep satisfaction.  As you work towards them, even if it's incremental progress, a lifting of your spirit's results. This will ignite continued momentum and a sense of soaring in your life. 

It is the process and not only the destination that can bring great joy.  When you are making forward motion in your life, you will not only inspire yourself to climb higher, but others can not help but be encouraged to do the same. 

Don't worry or give in to setbacks and failures along the way.  They are a part of the terrain along the journey and actually can become the stepping stones towards accomplishment. Brendan Case made a statement that really encourages one in dealing with obstacles: 

"The challenges that lie in our path do not only block our way;  by resisting us, they give us the traction we need to move forward." 

2.  Exercise gratitude!

What a difference your perspective about life can make!  When you allow the challenges and setbacks to loom foremost in your thoughts, you find yourself plummeting to the canyon depths of discouragement and despair.  But when you purposefully choose to look at all the things for which you can be thankful, wow....all of a sudden you sense a lifting of your spirits. Things could be much worse than they are.   When you drive down the street brooding on your situation and find yourself feeling like "yuck" inside, look closely at the person on the sidewalk waiting for the light to turn.  He is in a wheelchair operating it with a joystick due to almost total paralysis.  The weather is cold and windy.  Yet there he is...contending with life and not letting it deprive him of being actively engaged in it.  And there you sit in a nice, warm vehicle that works and you have all your body parts that work at will.  That can change your perspective immediately!

Intentionally practice being thankful....all throughout the day!  It will be a choice and a fight at times, but do it anyway!  The rewards are worth it.

(Me finishing another marathon)

3.  Exchange strength!

In the race of life, we quickly learn that we cannot finish well without the help of others.  This makes who we have in our lives of great significance.  We need people who will encourage us, inspire us and speak truth to us.  More than that, we need God's strength in our weakness.  I love what Isaiah 40:31 says:

But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength.

They will soar high on wings like eagles.

They will run and not grow weary.

They will walk and not faint.

This is the truth for how to stay strong, day in and day out.  This is how you can bring the experience of soaring into every moment of your life.  Exchanging God's strength for your weakness renews you and enables you to overcome the rough and challenging events in your life, and to build a legacy of soaring.  

Live bravely and beautifully!