Walking on Air
by Dan Daniels
I’ve never been able to fly when I’m asleep. Unless I’m in an airplane. But I mean while dreaming. Most people tell me they can. Not me. When I’m asleep I walk on air. When I want to rise real high, above buildings and into the clouds, I swim up; I’m sure it’s as good as flying and maybe even better.
When I’m awake I’m a walker on land. I’ve never been one for running. Jogging isn’t my way. I’m not comfortable when I pick up speed; my bones protest, wherever they meet — at every joint, hip, knee and ankle. No, my body was not put together for running.
Walking is another matter. That I do well, and for long periods; at a good pace. Enjoying my walk means enjoying my seeing. And that’s how I dream. I’m not into losing my time even when I’m asleep. At least I try not to.
Usually I settle for no more than two feet off the ground, just enough to escape the harshness of the pavement. For let’s face it, I do most of my walking on air when I’m in the city. When I’m in the country or in the mountains I swim instead.
It’s understandable that I should swim a lot when I’m asleep. It’s my favourite pastime when I’m awake. I’m more fully alive when I’m in the water than on land. I get carried away the same way when I’m on a sailing vessel of any kind.
Perhaps it’s because of the attachment I have for water. Simply looking at the waves is comforting, like being massaged. And this is how I feel when I’m swimming in air. Somehow, once I’ve taken off, the air seems to have a substance much like that of water. I know I can’t fall; just as I know I can’t drown. The water always supports me and keeps me from going down. The air always holds me up. In fact, there’s hardly any difference.
There are times when I’m frightened of the water. I’ve no intention of swimming in six foot waves, or even to sail on them; I hug the shore. Similarly I’m wary when the sky is a bit upset; I stay close to the ground.
Sometimes when I’m awake and swimming I also soar up above. This can happen when there are clouds and only when I’m on my back, and not before I’ve been in the water for no less than 45 minutes. I can then feel as if I’m swimming in the clouds and looking down on the waves below. It’s identical to the experience I have when I’m asleep and swimming.
At first, when I started to walk on air, I was puzzled; pleased, but puzzled. The sleeping self in me told me this wasn’t possible.
But then I’d be reassured by another self in me to stop worrying and to just enjoy what was happening. That is how I am sometimes when I’m awake. Something wondrous comes my way, and I start arguing with myself that it isn’t possible. But there’s that other side of me which will intervene on occasion. “Just be with it. Don’t intellectualize. Just be.”
Of late the “just be” side is more often triumphant. That too is now the way when I’m asleep and taking off. I now know instinctively how I’m able to leave the ground; there is no more debating or questioning this reality. It should also be possible to walk on air when I’m awake; the secret is to get the oxygen in the air to carry me the same way it does when it’s combined with another element in the water .
I’ve just about got my finger on the solution. The next time when I’m asleep and walking, or swimming, I’m staying alert long enough to remember exactly how it’s done. And I’ll not forget when I awake. I’m all set and waiting for the dream that will take a load off my aching feet.
