Birds of a Feather
By: Kevin Barnard, columnist
By: Kevin Barnard
The story is told of a man who visited a local farmer. There he saw the most beautiful bald eagle, and it was pecking around on the ground just like the chickens. He couldn’t believe it, and asked the farmer about its condition. The farmer told him that the eagle had been around the chickens for so long, that he just took on their characteristics and tendencies. He never flew off, and would run into the chicken coop every evening with the others.
Still in unbelief, the man decided to change that. He picked up the bald eagle and took him up the hill to the highest point. As he stood on the ledge of a tall cliff, he held out the bald eagle. The wind began to blow, the eagle felt that wind on his feathers, and decided to take flight. It was a majestic moment for the man, as he then realized that the eagle had found it’s designed purpose…. to soar.
As the old saying goes, “birds of a feather flock together”. There is wisdom there…. because who you choose to be around, or even the fact that you choose to isolate, can make an incredible impact on your attitude toward life.
We weren’t designed to put our heads down and peck around like chickens (not that chickens are bad…. I don’t want any hate mail!). All I’m saying is that grief can get you down…. only looking at your current state and nothing more. We were made to live. We were made to enjoy life…. to smile…. to connect…. to soar. Maybe today is a day to take a trip up the mountain…. to gain a different perspective and to rediscover your designed purpose. It’s time to soar again…. to find our healing out loud.