We all need to decide whether to "play it safe" in life and worry about the downside, or instead take a chance, by being who we really are and living the life our heart desires. Which choice are you making?
One of the first things I noticed about my newly purchased parrot, was that he couldn't fly. Chico's wings had been clipped and he was stuck here on earth just like us humans.
Once the weather turned nice I took Chico and sat him on a branch of a tree in my backyard, hoping to make him happier. At first he seemed confused. He walked back and forth on the branch looking like an agitated father pacing back and forth in the maternity waiting room. I was surprised to see that he didn't flap his wings in an attempt to fly. Somehow he knew he was incapable. I always wondered how he knew such a thing.
One day, while sitting on his branch, Chico got way more agitated then he had been when I first took him outside months ago. He was pacing back and forth and talking up a storm. Then all of a sudden, he stopped pacing, let out a spine tingling scream, and started madly flapping his wings for the first time ever. About three seconds later, he lifted off from the branch like the space shuttle at Cape Canaveral! I was amazed and shocked. Little did I know his feathers had been growing back in, and just like a sly convict, Chico had been biding his time until the moment was ripe for escape!
Chico made his break for freedom on a late Monday afternoon, and by late Monday night I knew he was not coming home. Finally, on Tuesday evening Chico returned, but stayed way out of reach. I talked to him and showed him some food, but to no avail. Then I took his cage inside so he would not relate coming back to getting locked up again. Finally, I made him a firm promise that if he did come back I would let him out every day the weather was nice. Shortly after making my solemn oath, he flew onto my shoulder and I took him upstairs.
From that day on, whenever the weather was good I would let him out early and he would fly around and be back before dark. This routine lasted for about two months and then suddenly Chico became ill. The vet said that he had contracted a disease from the pigeons in the neighborhood. Within a few days he died, and I mourned his loss.
Just once the thought crossed my mind that if I had not set him free to fly every day, he would still be alive. It was then that I realized that the quality of one's life is much more important than the number of years one lives. What sense is there in being a bird if you can't fly?
Chico made his initial break for freedom on a late Monday afternoon in April. When will you make yours? You too can take a chance when the conditions are right, knowing you too in your own way, were built to fly. If you don't set yourself free, what will be the purpose of your life?
I would suggest that the quality of one's life is dependant on feeling one's essence, and living the design that is you. If you are a fish, your life needs to be all about swimming. If you are a bird, your life needs to be all about flying and spreading your message to all that you meet along the way. What sense is there in being you, if you don't really let yourself free and express your heart?
About The Author
Charlie Badenhop is the originator of Seishindo, an Aikido instructor, NLP trainer, and Ericksonian Hypnotherapist. Benefit from his thought-provoking ideas and a new self-help Practice every two weeks, by subscribing to his complimentary newsletter "Pure Heart, Simple Mind" at http://www.seishindo.org/anger/index.html.
Why are you so busy? Do you really have too... Read More
No one gets through life without being hurt by another... Read More
Have you ever noticed that so many of us who... Read More
Often while talking to people about my coaching practice I... Read More
In my husband's family, family members send Christmas cards to... Read More
Have you ever laid in bed trying to fall asleep,... Read More
Last month I was invited to participate in a charity... Read More
GOOD BUSINESS COACHING: Clearly, the right kind of coaching can... Read More
"I don't see how I can just make up my... Read More
Not long ago, I made a partnership pitch, on behalf... Read More
Settling is about not embracing what is best for you,... Read More
I thought it might be worth visiting some email etiquette... Read More
Many people, particularly students, would love to be able to... Read More
Recently, I have received several emails asking me about coaching... Read More
How would you like to get along even better with... Read More
Every one of us have dreams, desires and goals that... Read More
Direct Answers - Column for the week of July 22,... Read More
He's been around since the dawn of humanity. His profession... Read More
More and more people have less and less time, but... Read More
Ever since the Internet bubble and the 9/11 terrorist attacks,... Read More
One of the mainstays of American culture is the "Great... Read More
When we are ill and don't know it, we are... Read More
Each and every day as we are building our businesses,... Read More
Nobody will stop you in the hallway at work to... Read More
It does make you wonder sometimes, doesn't it? You know... Read More
"Fortune befriends the bold." - John DrydenI regularly work with... Read More
The intriguing Human psyche - more complex than the metamorphosing... Read More
I'm writing this on my laptop in a Cosi café... Read More
What Is Perfectionism?This is the first of two newsletters that... Read More
Why should you bother to spend your valuable time learning... Read More
What does it mean to forgive?One of the first things... Read More
Imagine stepping into the gym for the first time in... Read More
Judging by the extraordinarily positive reader response to Po Bronson's... Read More
Ever since the Internet bubble and the 9/11 terrorist attacks,... Read More
I'm working on a coach training certification, and one of... Read More
The subject of positive self talk regarding our goals and... Read More
The surprising answer is "probably". Most individuals don't realize that... Read More
The scenario?The company has decided it needs to eliminate costs.... Read More
Every relationship has conflicts. In some relationships, conflict is a... Read More
How often do you hear a parental voice in your... Read More
Online counseling may be the latest and greatest improvement in... Read More
A friend called me the other day from Lower Alabama.... Read More
Personal missions statements (PMS) are just nothing but the winning... Read More
MOVING THROUGH CHANGECreating any major change in our lives can... Read More
This story is being offered in response to a request... Read More
"Joan, I'm working so hard and I'm not getting anything... Read More
Can you recall a time where you utilized silence to... Read More
You Are What You Listen ToCan music really help you... Read More
Are you using the Life Potential you have been given?... Read More
One of the mainstays of American culture is the "Great... Read More
We've all experienced the same thing at important crossroads in... Read More
In my speaking engagements I have often compared coaching today... Read More
I am a "Loser". You're gonna learn from this writing... Read More
At a time when the global economy is bringing innovation,... Read More
How are you progressing with the goals you set yourself... Read More
Successful people have always had clear, focused goals that guide... Read More
But people love being coached. It's respectful and considerate of... Read More
I thought it might be worth visiting some email etiquette... Read More
The book Feel The Fear And Do It Anyway by... Read More
The underground train in London can get you anywhere when... Read More
An awful lot of fantastic coaching has been coming out... Read More
For a self help book to work, we have to... Read More
People of two opposing ideas can stir up arguments and... Read More
Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) often feel like they... Read More
Sound familiar? If you want to manage anger, the only... Read More
1. Pretending You Are Interested When You Are NotDo yourself... Read More
Coaching |