I flew to California yesterday.  My entire adult life and even much of my childhood Ive been flying.  I've always been a traveler.  A few years ago during a very anxious period in my life, i suddenly became afflicted with a fear of flying.  This was a secret affliction. No one would even believe (not even my husband) that I, me the globe trotter, could be afraid of flying.  No it wasn't the sudden arrival of my kids.  They had been around..in fact we have passed on our travel bug to them! It was a rough patch for me..yes I medicated to fly...its no big deal to most people but to me it just wasn't the answer.  yesterday i was feeling particularly mellow.  my husband and i were going away on a rare alone trip.  i boarded the plane and took my window seat next to my husband.  Then the woman behind us started talking to her new found best friend about how afraid she is of take off and landing.  Her new best friend said he wasn't afraid of that but mid air turbulence really bothered him.  I started to think to myself, why did Brian and i travel on the same plane--i didn't start to panic like i might have a year or so ago but definitely began to feel uncomfortable... and then i took 3 deep breaths and started meditating.  just naturally no panic, no pillow adjustment, nothing just three deep breaths and there I went.  hearing the hum of the plane but not much else.  i scanned my body for what must have been 10-15 minutes.  when uncomfortable thoughts would come to me, i would acknowledge then let them pass-puff , gone...when i finished i felt like i had just woken up, refreshed and calm.    Jackie