Half an hour into a two-hour flight, the plane hit a large area of turbulence. I was on a business trip traveling on our company plane. Since it was a small plane, the pilot couldn't fly above the turbulence, so we had to endure flying through it. Usually turbulence doesn't affect me, but the plane was not only jumping up and down, it was also bouncing side to side. The luggage was falling from the overhead racks.

We traveled like that for ten minutes before I realized I had tensed up and was holding onto the bottom of my seat. I actually believed I was keeping the plane in the air! Looking around, I noticed everyone else was doing the same.

I started thinking about how I had used the same technique concerning my life with the alcoholic. As long as I was vigilant controlling things around me, I thought I had control of my surroundings.

Then I thought about how I could apply the first three Steps to this situation. I had to admit I was powerless over turbulence and let go of my seat. I came to the conclusion that my Higher Power would get the plane to the ground one way or another—that was not up to me. When I was able to let go of the situation, a feeling of calm surrounded me. My flight was more comfortable from that point on.

After landing, I was joking about the experience with some of the other passengers who mentioned they noticed I wasn't nervous. What a gift—to be able to use the Steps to help me through the bumps in my life.

By Cathy S., Oregon
The Forum, July 2006

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