Are You Hot Air or a Breath of Fresh Air?

On June 24th, a hot air balloon crashed into power lines that sparked an explosion at the annual Balloonfest in Michigan. Fortunately, the balloon landed in a nearby lake and the pilot was rescued by local fishermen. Whew! That sure makes me question the notion that I once had to take a hot air balloon ride – especially in this Austin HOT AIR.

Before I heard about that accident, it sounded like a thrill-ride to take a balloon ride, but now I’m thinking “Bring on the fresh air – NOT, the hot air!” We often hear or say “I’m going outside to get some FRESH AIR”. But with all the air quality control measures and warnings out there, it makes us wonder if fresh air really good for us? From recent studies, the answer is "yes", depending on the air quality where we're at. If we're out camping in one of our beautiful wilderness areas, the answer is a hearty "YES"! Where my children live in the hills of Austin, the answer is also “YES”! Fresh air cleans our lungs. If the air we're breathing is clean -- which it would be if we're away from the pollutants of cities -- then the air is filled with life-giving, energizing oxygen. If we exercise outdoors, our body will learn to breathe more deeply, allowing even more oxygen to get to our muscles and our brain. Getting plenty of clean, fresh air into our lungs is a good way to keep our brain functioning at tip-top capacity, so bring on the fresh air!

“Donna, here you go on another tangent -- where are you going with this Hot Air vs Fresh Air post?” Let's think about it. In terms of our nature, attitude and spirit -- which are we? Hot Air or Fresh Air? We've heard "He's/she’s just blowing 'hot air'!" What that means is those folks are typically conceited, braggadocios, love the sound of their own voice, exaggerate and often....full of empty hot air. We would like to leave the room when they come in because their hot air causes us to crave some 'FRESH AIR'!

And, then there are those who come into a room and you just sense "A breath of fresh air just came in.” They create an atmosphere of life-giving, energizing joy and peace and you sense their heart is full of gratitude. Their countenance emits love and kindness. Their gratitude is undeniable even though you know their circumstances warrant some “hot air” of sadness, weariness, and sorrow. They inspire you to want to take a deep breath and take in their "fresh air".

I have many “fresh air friends” They are going through real stuff, real heartbreak, real pain, real circumstances that could make them want to run from it all, but instead, in the midst of it all, they are encouragers, bright shining "air filters" that destroy the pollutants of negativity. They know negativism destroys fresh air, so they live just the opposite. They are fresh air proponents. Where does that come from? I believe it comes from deep inside them where God is – where He has taken up occupancy – where He breathes life into them and that’s called abundant fresh air LIFE! They spend time with Him and daily pursue taking on His beauty and His character. They have learned to LOVE as THE Master Lover loves us. I sure do want to be that FRESH AIR to my world – don’t you?

I love The Message Bible’s interpretation of St. Paul’s writings about fresh air in Philippians 2:15-16: “Go out into the world uncorrupted, a breath of fresh air in this squalid and polluted society. Provide people with a glimpse of good living and of the living God. Carry the light-giving Message into the night so I'll have good cause to be proud of you on the day that Christ returns. You'll be living proof that I didn't go to all this work for nothing.”

I sure do want to be that breath of fresh air to my world – don’t you?