Last night flying home from New York to California, I observed a beautifully, powerful display of nature at some point over Pennsylvania. There was a lighting storm covering a vast area below and to the north and continued nearly 30 mins in our westward travel. At one point, my phone location showed me in Columbia which of course I google mapped and found a Columbia in Pennsylvania, as well as Ohio, and a number of other places….but the only Columbia showing on our JetBlue display route….was in Brazil. I just watched the Manifest series in the past couple months and don’t think my mind didn’t go there. Great series, btw, most I talk to won’t watch, because they already have a fear of flying and it does involve a plane crash with survivors navigating a remote island.

I’ve always loved flying. There is a feeling of freedom that overcomes me on takeoff. The thought of exploration and the power of this huge aircraft carrying me through the endless sky. Watching the planet below me and pondering the mass amount of land and people and space in between. If I let my mind wander into the possibilities of what could possibly go wrong, there is no doubt, I would panic and end up fearful and terrified. Fear is a real emotion. When I experience fear, I feel darkness, heaviness and a sense of doom, all the while releasing into my system a chemical cocktail of all the stress hormones. But I don’t allow myself to go there anymore. It takes practice. I started with the little things. Being that I’m single, I don’t have anyone to “get the spider, bug, lizard, mouse and even the dreaded cockroach”….whatever weaseled its way in…so I started sucking it up and getting over the fear of bugs. Everytime I hesitate to do something out of fear, I connect with my breath and challenge myself to suck it up and go for it. Being out at night. Traveling alone. Both things that frighten/concern me, but being extra aware and present has helped me feel more comfortable with both situations. So yes, a little self discipline is necessary, but persistence makes my discipline better too…win win.

The mind is under constant bombardment of thoughts from both extremes. We all have them. Dark and Light. When I am fearful, the darkness looms and wants to consume. When I acknowledge the fear is real, but recognize that lingering here does nothing good for me and then forcing myself to act anyways has been energizing and empowering. And, YES, sometimes it’s a struggle….but I ask myself, who is gonna win? The answer lies in the depth of my soul. It lies in my faith in something bigger than myself and that in all reality, the time we have on this planet is temporary and it is fleeting from the day we are born. I search the fond memories, the gratitude, the love, the elated celebrations….and I embrace and embody these feelings and sensations. And then I breath, and of course I have to reiterate, through my nose! Breathing deep into my diaphragm, breathing smoothly and rhythmically, relaxing my chest, my shoulders and my neck, extending my exhale, often with a hum, a vibration or a sigh of relief in letting go. I remember to smile and FEEL the sensations of that smile. I allow the sensations to trickle through my entire being, my blood, my tissues, my organs…..my Aura. On a whole other note, delivering my system a hit of endogenous dopamine, seretonin and oxytocin – all the feels.

I have come to accept that I don’t have a whole lot of control of what happens in this life, but remembering that I DO have control of my own decisions and choices, and ultimately my breath has been a super power. Turning this fear into power and trusting that God, The Universe, My Higher Source is in charge of my fate has propelled my intentions and continues to help me bring my goals to fruition. And life is so much more rewarding and fulfilling. Don’t stay incarcerated in fear – acknowledge, feel and release heavy feelings and emotions through breathwork, meditation, fascia release and yoga. Join me on this beautiful journey. Reach out for guidance. It’s my calling.

Namaste, Cindy

Full video on IG: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DNondPwyxD8/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==