Staying Grounded When You Fly

BY REV. DONNA DAVIS, RN (YPIR)

Traveling can be a very stressful event or a joyful one. I just recently returned home to Jamaica and decided that I would do it more on a regular basis now. I have a new granddaughter, and she needs to know where her ancestors are from. Truth be told, Jamaica has always held a lot of stress for me simply because of how the country perceived gay people in the past. I’m happy to report that it’s getting better, and that gives me hope for the future. My wife and I really love going to the island.

When I go to Jamaica, before I get on the ight, my heart and my body go through all kinds of stresses. There were a lot of traumas around the negativity from my very Christian family when I came out 17 years ago. There was also trauma in my childhood involving pain around molestation and abuse. I get stressed each time I buy that ticket.

Here are some of the tips to help get you through the stress of travel.

First, breathe. Take deep breaths when the plane takes o and when the plane lands. It helps you to regulate your nervous system. Don’t hyperventilate but allow yourself to look out the window (if this is not too hard), marvel at the earth and the beauty of it all. Notice how different the landscape is from one country to another.

While I’m in line, I sing a song in my head. Jamaica is known for long lines that operate on island time. It can get a little claustrophobic with so many people standing around. This is another time to breathe but also to sing a song in my head. A chant is very helpful. One of my favorites is “I Will Surrender” by Karen Drucker.

Next time you travel, try these tips to get spiritually grounded so you can handle something as bad as a fear of flying, or a healing trip like I did back to my homeland. Just breathe through it all, and just remember the palm trees and blue skies in your future once you get there! Happy trails.

An interfaith minister and life coach, Donna Davis utilizes her to empower other people to overcome their struggles. Together with her wife, Norma, they manage Your Phoenix is Rising, a transformation coaching service focused on helping others rise from the darkness of despair and embrace their true Light Nature. Donna and Norma raised three biological children and served as legal guardians to several teenaged friends of their children during their time of need. Donna is a Registered Nurse at Parralion HCA Shared Services and Performance Director at Centers for Spiritual Living Ocala. She studied RN at Rasmussen College and psychology at Florida Atlantic University.