09/01/2016
Let’s Be Eagles
Eagles are the most long-lived bird in the world.
By the time they reach 40 years old, their claws will start to age, losing their effectiveness, and hard for eagles to catch their prey. The life span of an eagle is up to 70 years old; but, in order to live this long, the eagle must make the toughest decision at age 40: Its beak so long and curvy that it reaches the eagles chest; its wings, full of long, thickened feathers, are too heavy for easy flying. The eagle is left with 2 choices: Do nothing and await death or go through a painful period of transformation and renewal.
For 150 days, the eagle first trains itself to fly beyond the high mountains, build and live in its nest, and cease all flying activities. It then begins to knock its beak against granite rocks till the beak is completely removed. When a new beak is grown, the eagle will use it to remove all its old claws and await quietly for new ones to be fully grown. When the new claws are fully grown, the eagle will use them to remove all its feathers, one by one. Five months later, when its new feathers are fully grown, it will soar in the sky again with renewed strength and be able to live for the next 30 years.
In life, as an individual, in an organization, sometimes we have to learn to make difficult decisions so as to make room for changes. Changes bring about renewal. And the only way to soar again is to let go of old ways, old habits, and old lives. For, as long as we are prepared to put aside old baggage- past glory or shame, past success or failure, be willing to become zero, with an empty cup mentality, we will be able to discover our potential and head toward a renewed perspective in any aspect of our lives.