Friday, December 14, 2018

Let Go

Do you know that an eagle lives up to around 80 years, pretty much the same age as human beings? But there is something really fascinating about them. You see, a young eagle will grow up, hunt and be the king of birds for many years. But, as it approaches its 40th year - it will do something unprecedented in its life.

It will go to the highest mountain it can find, and there it will pluck out all its feathers. Then will gnaw at the harsh rocks until all its claws fell off and beat its beak against the rock until it breaks. It will put itself through this harsh pain, make itself vulnerable and stay in that harsh, cold environment with cold winds/snow for months.

Has that eagle suddenly lose its mind to let itself be that way when everything seems to be going perfectly well in its life?

No.

To the outside world, the eagle is agile, strong and swift. But the eagle knows that its claws aren't as strong as they used to be, its beak isn't as sharp it as it used to be and its wings have grown heavier, duller over the years. It has grown comfortable, it has grown old. It can continue to hunt and live that way, but it will never be the same as it once used to be. So, it has 2 choices - to accept as things are or to change things. Even if it hurts. Even if it bleeds. Even if it starve. Cold. Vulnerable. On the brink of death.

For months, it puts itself through the harshest conditions - bleeding, hungry, vulnerable, afraid, in constant pain. But it doesn't give up. It waits. Waits to be healed, renewed, reborn.

Slowly but surely, the eagle starts growing its feathers again, its claws come back, its beak healing and regrowing - fragile, weak, timid at first. Still so very vulnerable, still so very raw but getting there.

Then one day, the day finally arrives! The eagle's transformation is complete. Up stand an ever stronger eagle, with brand new magnificent wings - oh so lighter, faster, bigger, stronger. And its claws!! Look at its claws --longer, sharper, so ready for actions! And its beak - so strong now that it can easily break hard shells of any kind. One look and its preys run for cover, other birds give way to the return of the king. Its enemies hide and run. For this one has been to hell, go straight through it and come back reborn.

With its life experience and newer artilleries, the eagle then go forward to defeat once and for all and rule until the end of its life.

Strength is not the ability to resist any and all kinds of resistances. But to allow resistances to pull you down at times, hit you hard, make you fall. But to use that very energies to your advantage, to learn to control and make you stronger.

Its okay to get hurt. Cry.

Its okay to be angry. Be vulnerable. Be weak. Hit the bottom. Ignored. Humiliated. Broken. Alone.

A diamond is once just a normal rock. But under pressure, it turns into a diamond.

Not all pains are out to kill you. Not all terrible, hurtful things are meant to really hurt you.

Sometimes, they are there to remind you of who you really are, what you are made of. Sometimes they are there to replace your blunt weapon with a sharper, newer version. Upgrade you by removing your old, no longer useful tool off you.

Like stale tea in a teacup. You gotta throw out the old tea first before you can pour in the new, fresh one. Sometimes you gotta let go. So, let go of that part of you.

Even if it hurts. Remember why you're here. Remember the lesson. Let go.


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