Attitude for Altitude

Birds simply inspire us.

They’re an instant interrupter of stress and anxiety as we are drawn outside and look up, face to the sky, to watch the easy freedom of a bird in flight.They lift us up out of our earthly concerns.

Their extraordinary ability, this super power of effortless beauty has long been admired. The envy of man to possess the dynamic skill of flying like a bird is well documented in the history of some early impressive and hazardous attempts.

In 11th century England, Benedictine monk Eilmer of Malmesbury was best known for his gliding flight from the top of the Abbey. He managed to cover about 200 meters having fastened wings to his hands and feet, inspired by his study of jackdaws and fascinated by the familiar and mythical story of Daedalus, Greek inventor and architect.

Daedalus, along with his son Icarus, needed to escape from the wrath of King Minos in Crete.

He built wings for himself and his son, using bird feathers, thread and wax.

Unfortunately , Icarus failed to heed his father’s warning of not flying too close to the sun and fell to his death in the sea. 

Despite his crash landing which left him crippled after breaking both legs, Eilmer was still eager to try again, blaming his injuries on having forgotten to include a tail! Yes, a tail could have provided more stability and Eilmer did take the more possible gliding approach but man’s early attempts to take to the skies were greatly underestimating the powerful energy required for such complex coordination.

We can’t all get to try out our designs for take off. But we all have night time dreams of flying.

In mine, this sensation taps into a distant but deeply known experience in my history of another dimension and conscience, that I have done this many times. It’s not with the exerted effort to flap a huge pair of wings but a ride on thermal currents, buoyed and controlled by the decision to think positively. I’m definitely in with the lucid dreamers, it can feel incredible but I’m aware that it takes my full focus.The higher the optimism, the higher the altitude, a dip in thought rendering me to a low skimming across a rippling body of water.

It’s my choice to move towards heavenly heights……..to where the birds go.