Friday, September 20, 2019

The Wings of an Eagle

Thought for the day: We are eagles of one nest... the nest is in our soul. [Led Zeppelin]
[image courtesy of unsplash]

Eagles are majestic creatures. The kings and queens of the skies, you might say. With their immense wingspans, they have the ability to soar high, and their high-flying maneuvers... from the mighty flaps of their wings,... to the graceful glides on the air... to the sudden wing-back swoops to the ground... are all magnificent things to behold.

We, too, have the ability to soar high, but like reluctant eagles, we sometimes give up or lose our desire to fly. I've told the following story before, which is loosely based on a James Agreey story, The Parable of the Eagle, but in support of the post I want to write today, it begs to be repeated:

[image courtesy of Morguefile]
While traipsing through the woods one day, a farmer happened upon a lone eaglet perched on a fallen log. He scooped up the young bird, carried it home, and put it in the barnyard with his chickens. Before long, the young eagle was walking and clucking like a chicken and pecking at the chicken feed on the ground.

When the farmer's friend, a Native American named Joseph, stopped by the farm one day, he was appalled to find the majestic eagle in the barnyard scratching in the dirt like a common chicken. With a laugh, the farmer said the bird had been raised like a chicken and never taught to fly, so he was now more chicken than eagle. Joseph insisted the bird still had the heart of an eagle, and he could... and should... be taught to fly, so the farmer agreed to let his friend try.

Joseph picked up the eagle, and said, "You're meant to be the king of the sky. Stretch forth your wings and fly!"

But the timid eagle looked at his chicken friends pecking corn from the ground and jumped down to join them.

The next day, Joseph tried again. This time, he took the eagle up to the roof, and again, he said,"You're an eagle, the king of the skies. Stretch forth your wings and fly!"

And once again, the frightened bird returned to the safety of the chicken yard.

The third day, Joseph carried the bird to a nearby mountaintop, held it high above him, and said, "You are an eagle, the king of the skies. Spread forth your wings, and fly!"

Hesitant at first, the bird looked back toward the farm, back toward the only life he knew. Then he trembled, stretched his mighty wings, and with a triumphant cry, soared into the sky.

It's possible the eagle sometimes misses the chickens; he may even visit the barnyard once in a while for old time's sake. But as far as anyone knows, he's still living life as an eagle, the king of the skies... just as all eagles were meant to do.
                                                                         *****

It's easier to hang around in the barnyard, because the prospect of stretching our wings can be very frightening, but we should never let someone else define our capabilities. Why let someone else's doubts stop you from trying? By the same token, there are a lot of things happening in the world today that might make you want to hide in the barnyard... or stay in bed with the covers pulled over your head. It seems like every day, there is something else in the news that's discouraging and disheartening. Nothing but one dark storm after another...
                                                      Are you hiding from those storms?
[image courtesy of unsplash]

[image courtesy of unsplash]
One of the many interesting things about eagles: they don't hide from storms. Nope, they don't fly straight into them, either. They're much smarter than that.

They fly above them. Up above the storm... above the clouds... to find clear blue skies and wind currents that can carry them effortlessly through the air.

All birds find shelter during a rain, but the eagle avoids rain by flying above the clouds. Problems are common, but attitude makes the difference. [Abdul Kalam]

An eagle uses the negative energy of of a storm to fly even higher [Eric Thomas]

Flap the wings of inner strength to fly above the clouds of a storm. Cry not if left alone. Like an eagle, you are strong. [Vandana Saini]

I get it. I'll confess to feeling occasional angst over the state of the world today, but we must give ourselves permission to soar above those feelings. Wallowing in discouraged sadness... in the dirt of the barnyard... won't help anyone or change anything. We may not be able to change the entire world, but we can certainly do our best to make a difference right where we are. We can't single-handedly stop all hateful behavior in the world... but we can certainly devote ourselves to being kind in our everyday lives. A simple act of kindness may be just the boost another person needs to soar above the clouds.

[image courtesy of unsplash]
I've often defined myself as a pathological optimist, but that doesn't mean it's always easy.

There is an eagle in me that wants to soar, and there is a hippopotamus in me that wants to wallow in the mud. [Carl Sandburg]

It has to be a conscious decision. I have to fight  my inner hippo... and occasionally have a diet soda with my cheeseburger.

You can't soar like an eagle when you hang around with turkeys. [author unknown]

When the storms of life gather darkly ahead,
I think of those wonderful words I once read.
And I say to myself as threatening clouds hover,
Don't fold up your wings and run for cover. 
But like the eagle, spread wide your wings
And soar far above the troubles life brings.
For the eagle knows that the higher he flies,
The more tranquil and brighter become the skies.
And there is nothing in life God ever asks us to bear
That we can't soar above on the wings of prayer.
And in looking back over the storm you passed through,
You'll find you gained strength and new courage, too,
For in facing life's storms with an eagle's wings,
You can fly far above earth's small petty things. 

[Helen Steiner Rice]






Attitude is a choice. Happiness is a choice. Optimism is a choice. Kindness is a choice. Giving is a choice. Respect is a choice. Whatever choice you make makes you. Choose wisely. [Roy T. Bennett]

If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude. [Maya Angelou]

                            Until next time, take care of yourselves. And each other.

44 comments:

  1. Lovely story! It's good to be optimistic. The mug I am drinking my coffee from just now say 'Happiness is a way of life and not a destination'. Have a great and happy weekend! Hugs, Valerie

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    1. That sounds like my kinda mug! The one I use most often, however, is the whimsical Pink Freud mug my daughter gave me. It always makes me smile.

      You have a super weekend, too.

      Hugs back atcha.

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  2. Hi Susan - gosh that first image reminded me of its film ... a wonderful tale of the Kazhak-language film about the Eagle Huntress - filmed in Mongolia ... showing us their way of life.

    Brilliant post - loved it ... we need to push through ... all your labels: positiveness in times of strife ... eg Mandela in gaol and his attitude ...

    Have a wonderful weekend - looks like we have the last of the summer sun our way! Cheers Hilary

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    1. Hi-ya, Hilary.

      Mandela was a great example of how to behave during toxic times. Attitude may not be everything, but it's one of the most important things.

      You have a wonderful weekend, too. It's even cooler here this morning! I don't know how long it will last, but it's grrrrrreat! Cheers back atcha.

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  3. I am by nature happy and optimistic, but sometimes the going gets a little tough and I have to consciously make the choice to not wallow. I've heard that some people often dream they are flying like eagles, I never have, but I do love to fly in a plane. my dreams usually involve being underwater.

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    1. You nailed it. Sometimes we have to consciously make the choice. I've never dreamt I was flying like an eagle, (darn it!) but I used to have a recurring dream where all I had to do was lift my legs and I could fly as though I were on a magic carpet. Underwater? No, as much as I love water, dreaming of being under it would be more of a nightmare for me. Unless I had gills...

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  4. I am an optimistic pessimist. I hope for the best and expect the worst.
    Loved this story though - and don't we all need support and encouragement to fly.

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    1. No, I'd say you're more of an optimistic pragmatist. Hoping for the best, but prepared to handle whatever comes your way.

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  5. Well said. We were born to do more. Hopefully we can prod ourselves to do it rather than need someone to dump us off a mountain.

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    1. For sure. Most of us never live up to our potentials. You, on the other hand... (And I bet no one had to dump you off a mountain, either!)

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  6. I confess to peck around on the ground more than I should. Maybe today, I'll put on some Steve Miller Band and Fly Like an Eagle. I like your quotes today, especially Carl Sandberg and of course Maya.
    Have a good weekend - we might have some rain!

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    1. Yes! You do that! If you have some rain, you can fly right above it. On the other hand, after how hot it's been, it might feel better to walk around in the rain. Ya know, clean your feathers a bit. Then you can fly. :)

      Have a super weekend, dear lady. No rain here, but it's definitely cooler here this morning than it's been for a long time. Feels GREAT!

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  7. Yes, to soar like an eagle to run and not rest is to be aspired too. It gives us hope in times of sorrow or fear. We can all soar through our days and be thankful for them.

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    1. I knew this post would be right up your alley. :)

      Not to sound all U.S. Army, but I honestly believe we're all meant to be the best we can be.

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  8. Definitely needed this reminder today! Thank you! :)

    I've heard this story before in relations to when people you know want to keep you from changing and growing, keep you as a chicken instead of cheering you on to soar higher than them. There's a similar one about crabs in a bucket and how when one wants to get out the others actually pull it back it in.

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    1. You're welcome! :)

      I never heard the story about the crabs, but I've certainly SEEN crabs do just that. Then again, they were about to be cooked. I reckon then, it was a matter of every crab for himself...

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  9. Thank you for sharing this parable and verses! Of late, I'm struggling with an undefined sense of anxiety (OK, fear). This post is an encouragement, indeed.

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    1. Sorry about the anxiety/fear. I think we all need some encouragement every now and then.

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  10. Eagles fly down the Mississippi, spending winter in a stretch of it from Quincy to Alton IL. They feast well, soar, and amaze all of us earthbounds.
    This was excellent.

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    1. There's something uplifting about seeing an eagle, isn't there?

      Thanks. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

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  11. Yeah, many a time we spend way too much time in the barnyard. Need to spread those wings and not end up the hippo. Not that there is wrong with being a hippo every now and then, just don't get the size of one, not healthy haha

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    1. For sure. It feels pretty good to wallow like a hippo every now and then, but we can do without the over-sized derriere. (Too hard finding bikinis and Speedos in XL sizes...)

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    2. Because those sizes always sell out first so all that's left is size "ultra tiny" and who fits into that?

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  12. We are lucky to have lots of eagles around here. Earlier on this summer one came and landed in a tree in our back yard. We had to rush out and shepherd our cats into the safety of the house. It was a wonderful sight to see, but we were very thankful when it finally decided to fly off again!

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    1. Yeah, I can understand eagles making you a little anxious if you've got small pets around.

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  13. A most enjoyable post, Susan! Certainly the eagle has served well as a symbol of spiritual, emotional and societal inspiration. It is a good symbol for our country. When I was in my 20s, a favorite Sacramento radio station held phone-in nominations for a symbol for our town, followed by a vote. The winner was a "jack-knifed tomato truck blocking traffic on highway 99" --a common sight every harvest season. It never replaced the Bear Flag, but it addressed the importance of those who work the ground and must speed their yield to market, despite yearly mishaps.

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    1. Thanks, dude! Well, I reckon that made for a symbol people weren't likely to forget, anyway.

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  14. "While traipsing through the woods one day, a farmer happened upon a lone eaglet perched on a fallen log. He scooped up the young bird, carried it home, and put it in the barnyard with his chickens. Before long, the young eagle was walking and clucking like a chicken and pecking at the chicken feed on the ground." … admittedly quite a moving story, friend Sue … nonetheless here is my rendition of the story: … and one day the eagle remembered and he took charge of the chicken coop … and the rest is history and a whole lot of feathers … Anyway … that's all my mind can up with at this time … meouw … Love, cat.

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    1. So the eagle took over, eh? Well, I reckon I'd rather have an eagle leader than a chicken. :)

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  15. I hear ya. Years ago, I had the opportunity to chat with a lady who was a young girl in Nazis Germany. Her life was a roller coaster of tragedy and despair, yet there she sat, telling the story. It taught me two things- we can never take anything for granted. Hate can go from words to actions so easily. And even in the worst of times and the worst of people, there are good people who take on evil.

    I do feel more fear for the future now more than ever, mostly because people will not talk. It's more like rude banter and bullying than any sort of helpful dialogue- on both sides. It's troubling.

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    1. Yes, it is troubling, but we've gotta have faith that things will get better.

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  16. Looking on the bright side is difficult sometimes when we can't even find it, but it is there. You're right that we need to follow the eagle's example and fly above those rain clouds. Nice post.

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  17. Nice post and interesting about the eagle soaring above the clouds but using the negative energy from it to do it. Could we? Use the negative energy to benefit us?

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    1. I don't know for sure, but I think so. If we squeeze something positive from adversity, it'd be much more satisfying to soar during the good times.

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  18. Hippos are pretty fierce though, I wouldn't mind being either! But whether in the mud or the air, I am on the side of soul lifting optimism. xxx

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    1. I'm a wimp, so I'd make a lousy hippo, but optimism? That I can handle most of the time.

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  19. What a great post on so many levels. I learned things about eagles, enjoyed the thought-provoking quotes and am inspired to soar like an eagle :)

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  20. Beautiful post!
    I confess: sometimes I'm a chicken.

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    1. Thank you, Ana!

      I confess: sometimes, I'm a chicken, too. :)

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  21. Like that thing about the eagle avoiding rain by flying above the clouds.

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