Learning to Fly.....

So we've been intently watching this Robin's nest

every day since we moved in

on May 10th.

Once the eggs hatched,

we watched the mother and father

tirelessly bring beak fulls

of worms and bugs

to the nest to feed their four hungry

little guys.

The babies grew stronger and stronger

before our eyes!

Within a few days,

they started looking less like aliens

and more like Robins.

The nest became smaller and smaller,

no longer able to hold the four of them

comfortably.

Someone was always hanging on the rim

and there seemed to be a constant tangle of wings.

Freedom came on Sunday morning!

Instinct kicked in and those little guys knew it was time.

Balancing precariously on the edge of their destiny,

each of them spread their wings

and set out on their own adventure...

all except one.

We've all been there,

our fear holding us back,

unable to do what seems to come so easily to others.

Self doubt can be crippling.

Sometimes, it seems like no matter how hard

we flap our wings,

nothing can take us where we want to go

except for our own courage.

It helps to have a strong support system too...

or at least someone to encourage us,

and stand guard over us when we feel
at our most vulnerable.


But ultimately,
there comes a time when we have to stand alone.
Some things just can't be done for us
no matter how much we are loved.
Our most important lessons
are often learned
only when we release ourselves from
the grip of fear
and step out of what we know is safe.




We have to push through the failures
and the near misses.
Perserverance
always
wins.



After a less than perfect attempt,
the ability to pick ourselves back up
and start over again with our head held high
is essential to our success.


Just getting out of the nest is one thing.....

But knowing what to do when you hit the ground

is another.

It's a big, big world out there

full of seemingly insurmountable

obstacles.

But the beauty is in the journey.

There is value in seeing even a small challenge

through to the end.

Each confidence building victory pushes us a little farther

toward our next goal.

In a world where everything is bigger than you

and there is danger lurking around every corner,

Your survival depends on knowing who to follow.

It is just as important to be a

wise follower as it is to be a wise leader.

Hang in there, baby!

Before you know it,

you'll find your wings!