why is the earth held in orbit around the sun?

this may seem like a fairly simple question but ive tried 'googling' it and nothing, any help much apprieciated!

 

cheers

anything that's in orbit (this applies to planets and satellites) are in a state of perpetually falling into the object of greater gravitational pull. However, the angles and velocity of the object are such that instead of falling into the sun, the planet 'misses' and falls past the sun.