Flying Verses Soaring.

This week I heard a question in my head: "Akita, what is the difference between flying and soaring?" So I have being thinking about this for a few days, and am not sure whether I should do more research before I use it in a message. But it stirs deeply within me so I would prefer to talk about this topic now... and if another nugget comes from the same question later, then I will bring it out again. Lets try and answer this question.

What is the difference between flying and soaring?
Flying: to move in or through the air by means of wings.The Penguin English Dictionary. My common definition: flapping of one's wings.
Soar: to glide or hover in the air, often at a great height. The Penguin English Dictionary. My common definition: flying at a higher level, with wings fully extended, and no flapping required.

A soaring bird tries to find rising thermals and navigate themselves to rise in them. It is not easy, and it takes instinct and experience to do. Soaring differs from general flying. When soaring, a bird uses no energy of its own; instead it depends on external forces called thermal currents. Images of these birds look wonderful, they seam to rest in the thermals, controlling their placement but totally held up by the "external force", trusting, resting,... not flapping.

I know we are not birds, but if I had to be one, I would like to be the sort that soars up high. As people we do try and fly around, most of the time I do general flying where I work very hard, beat my wings constantly, trying to stay afloat and get from one place to another. I can fly but it is hard work and I am mainly reliant on myself alone.

I can not fly at a higher level without an "external force". Occasionally during recent years I have caught myself doing bits of soaring, glimpses... these moments have been very special. During these glimpses, there is great ease and comfort, it feels like I am being carried.. not fully aware of my destination, but during those moments "control" doesn't seem to bother me. It feels like a pilot and the plane is on cruise control - no huge effort required just stay in the thermal(be where I am supposed to be), extend my wings(use what has been given to me), and see what happens.

Maybe with more experience and awareness I can ride the thermals more often. Learn what place to be in, when to open up my wings, and to fully rest in the "external force" - to get the maximum lift required to go further.

Blessings,

Akita.
12-9-07

To view past editions of Thrive, click: THRIVE editions

Psalm 16 v 8+9

I have set the Lord always before me.
Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;
my body also will rest secure.

Please feel free to forward this email-newsletter to friends + family.

Akita Olsen
Email: olsens@westnet.com.au

Bunbury Vineyard Church.
PO Box 1475, Bunbury,
WA 6231, Australia.
www.bunburyvineyard.org.au

If somebody has forwarded this email to you and you'd like to subscribe to this weekly message, please visit www.bunburyvineyard.org.au/thrive.htm.