Higher may be more exciting, but it takes more skill to stay close to the ground – that’s what the hot air balloon pilot says anyway.
Hot air balloons rise into the air when the burner is turned on and hot air fills the balloon. When the burner is turned off, the balloon slowly sinks back towards earth.
A hot air balloon pilot doesn’t have any direct way of moving to the left or the right, forward or backward, but has to go up or down to find a new air current that will take the balloon in the desired direction.
It takes skill and experience to avoid bumping into things the closer you get to the ground – the pilot is constantly reading the terrain below, the thermals, and the changing wind currents.
Getting lower requires coming closer to humanity. It requires awareness and sensitivity. Also responsiveness if you don’t want to crash.
But there’s nothing quite like seeing something from a new vantage point that still allows you to come close and see the details.
I’ve been reading quite a bit about how it is messy and challenging to live in community, but it is the only way to truly belong. It grows is and builds a sense of security. It is also very good for our health and longevity.
So let’s fly, but stay close enough to know what’s going on, to see the details, to stay connected