Having just returned from a powerful retreat in the Canadian Rockies, I’m still reveling in the altitude gain of the amazing rituals and practices we did during our time together in Banff, Alberta Canada.
This month we are exploring traveling on the Wings of Love and you may have started to notice a simple, powerful arc of the flight metaphor for this month’s theme. We launched and ascended into Love and today I want to explore how to continue to fly free and soar when we hit a few bumps on our flight. When love gets turbulent, we are lifted by practicing three moves: Let Go • Show Up • Soar (more about this in a moment).
At the heart of this arc is forgiveness. Not the score-keeping kind, but the kind that frees your chest, clears your mind, and opens space for grace. Forgiveness is not a transaction with someone else; it’s a return to the truth of who we are—love—and the freedom that follows.
A Course of Love (similar to A Course in Miracles) invites us out of the head’s striving into wholeheartedness (heart and mind acting as one) and from isolation into union. In this way, beingness precedes doingness. We stop trying to fix ourselves or others and instead accept who we truly are—Love in form. Acceptance opens willingness; willingness opens presence; and presence opens guidance. When we live like this, how we show up changes—and so do the possibilities.
The tricky thing about Love is that it’s easy to get caught in our stories – when this happens we lose perspective and can’t see our way from ‘doing’ to ‘being’.
Am I Willing to Begin Anew?
Science of Mind reminds us that mind impresses Law and the Law returns form. When relationships are bumpy or the inner weather turns stormy, we can begin anew—through affirmative prayer, meditation, and a fresh intention. We literally re-choose the seed we’re planting in consciousness: I am willing to see this differently. That single step of being willing is enough to lift us up.
Presence is Key
Buddhist Monk Thích Nhat Hanh offers four short statements that can help drop us into compassionate presence—with ourselves and/or with one another. Use them silently (as breath-prayers) or aloud with a Beloved friend or partner:
- “Darling/my friend, I am here for you.”
- “I know you are there Darling/my friend, and I am happy.”
- “I know you are suffering Darling/my friend.”
- “Darling/My friend I am suffering—please help.”
These statements give us space to retrain our attention from reactivity and scarcity to presence and compassion. They soften the nervous system, open the heart, and make genuine connection possible.
The Three Moves: Let Go • Show Up • Soar
1) Let Go — release the story.
Notice the loop you’ve been rehearsing—the blame, the defense, the ‘what-ifs’. Feel the way it tightens your identity around a situation or a wound. On your next exhale, whisper: I release the story; only love remains. Then plant a new seed of possibility, set an intention: I am willing to see this differently.
2) Show Up — wholehearted presence.
Come as who you are—love—not in the role of the “offender” or “offended.” Offer the one or all of the four compassion statements (even just in the silence of your heart). If you can, let your body posture soften, let your breath lengthen. Presencing yourself is a form of healing.
3) Soar — freedom in union.
Choose union over separation. Feel for the lift that follows: lightness, peace, creative possibility. Forgiveness is the moment you stop rehearsing the harm and start practicing union—and that’s what sets you free.
Try It Now (in only takes a 1 minute)
- One hand on your heart, one on your belly. Name the hurt in 5–7 words. Inhale.
- Exhale and say: As I release the story; only love remains.
- Add intention: I am willing to see this differently.
- Offer, one per breath: I am here for you… I know you are there, and I am happy… I know you are suffering… I am suffering—please help.
- Finally gently or silently whisper I choose union over separation. I am free to love.
Notice what shifts: maybe less tightness in the chest, a little more space in your thoughts, a softening in the jaw or the belly, a willingness to take the next kindhearted step. That’s lift.
This Week’s Invitation – Practice Daily
Every morning this week, speak this intention before your day begins:
“I accept who I am as love; I will live in union today.”
And if you’re feeling brave say it to yourself in the mirror. Plant that seed and let Love do what Love does—point the way, make the way, and clear the way. When we let go, we show up differently; and when we show up like that, we soar—free, loving, and guided.
Mid-day look for opportunities to use one of Thich Nhat Hanh’s statements.
When you retire, let go of the day and begin anew – try journaling, affirmative prayer, meditation or do a simple compassionate check-in with yourself.
Fly free Beloved, fly free!
