Be the Eagle You Were Meant to Be

“Rise up and adopt an eagle mentality. Challenge yourself to leave environments where people have accepted mediocrity. Surround yourself with people who are going places.” ~Germany Kent

What does it mean to be an Eagle?

Have you ever looked up into the sky and watched an eagle soaring overhead? They are incredible birds filled with majesty and grace. They are known for their solemn sense of mystery and splendor. They provide hyperbole and inspiration for motivational speakers and represent authority and dignity to those who gaze up at them. 

“Okay, so what do eagles have to do with me?” you may be asking. 

Stay with me here, because if you are looking for inspiration to break out of a rut or pursue a dream, eagles are the perfect metaphor.

Soaring high above the other birds, they represent a quiet beauty and superiority, rising above the rest and not getting weighed down by the limited expectations of those around them. 

Let me tell you how the eagle can be a talisman of unleashing your potential and reaching for the greatness within yourself.

My leap from the nest

I grew up in a lovely small midwestern town where everyone knows everyone, and they all know their business. After college, marriage and a brief stint living in another small town about an hour away from where we started, we moved back home to raise our kids and be close to our families. 

Fast forward 25 years. Following the loss of my parents and an unexpected divorce, I found myself alone and struggling, relying on my old habits and settling into a place that was comfortable and familiar, afraid to step out into anything new. My heartbreaks kept me frozen in place, keeping me centered on what I already knew, limiting the possibilities I could see before me. 

Eventually I realized that if I continued to do the same thing, I would see the same results. Nothing was going to change until I did.

So I stepped out of my comfort zone, my safe place, and a chain of life-changing events began to unfold before me. 

With trembling hands I put myself on an online dating site. My risk was rewarded when I met a man who lived in another state, but turned out to be the love of my life. We married and moved into our dream home in an area close to him. However, I still kept one foot in my safe zone, and retained my job in my hometown, where I kept some of my important friendships.

When I retired from teaching I pulled that foot in and decided it was time to fly. We took a huge leap of faith by moving to the east coast with big dreams, no jobs and only the possessions we could fit into our 2 cars. 

It was both terrifying and exhilarating.

Deep down in my soul I knew I was meant for something more; that everything I had lived through had been preparing me to step into the potential I was fostering inside. The dreams I had put out into the Universe were getting closer to me every day. 

Sometimes necessity stokes the fire in your heart and gives you the courage to ask for things you would not have dreamed of before. 

Once I stepped out of my nest of comfort, safety and familiarity, my life began to change in exponential ways. I learned how to use the wings that I had been born with, but had been hiding during the years I took care of my home, my children, my husband, my parents and my students. Looking back, I acted as though my wings had been clipped. 

From my new vantage point I knew that they had never been clipped by anyone, of course. They were within my control the whole time. My wings had just gone unused for myself while I tended to everyone else. 

Let me be clear, I loved being a wife, mother, daughter and teacher, and would not change a single second of my life. I believe that bringing my beautiful daughters into the world, helping my parents peacefully transition out of it, and positively impacting hundreds of second graders was all a part of my purpose for being put on this Earth. 

But I also believe that a woman can have multiple and varied purposes in her lifetime. Don’t you? 

It was time for me to stretch my wings and fly. Now it’s your turn.

Birds of a feather…

People are funny, don’t you think? As a species, we are constant contradictions of ourselves. We are diverse and we are conformists. We can be kind and compassionate one minute, and selfish and cruel the next. We can be impulsive and also incredibly predictable. We can calmly insist that everything is fine, or we can be dramatic alarmists. We land everywhere on the spectrum of mindsets, intentions and actions. 

Diversity is what makes the world go around, right? It certainly keeps it interesting. 

For the sake of this analogy, what if we related people to birds, a feathered species that tends to be a little more black and white, so to speak?

The Chicken

Let’s start on the ground level. Some people are a lot like chickens, hanging around on the ground all day. Eyes cast down, picking up only what is right in front of them, whatever is in their current field of vision. The hens watch life go by, focusing on getting through the day. Even if she gets the sudden urge to fly she doesn’t have the drive or the tools to make it happen for any great distance. Fear holds her down and keeps her from pursuing her true potential. So she convinces herself to be content down there on solid ground and she becomes complacent. 

That, my friend, is not you.

Let’s raise our eyes to the next level where we see a multitude of everyday birds, a variety of multilayered feathered females living out their lives among us. They are wives, mothers and go-getters. This is the circle where most of us are living, with the majority of feminine humanity. 

Can you see the human faces of girlfriends you know on these winged creatures?

The Cardinal

Consider the elegant cardinal, preening her bright and beautiful feathers as she sits on the branch observing the other birds down her beak. It seems almost as if she is judging them. No, trust me, she is actually judging them.

The Chickadee

The chipper chickadee is always chirping her little song, spreading cheer and looking at the bright side of life. She’s fine, it’s fine, everything is always fine. Her little rose colored glasses allow her to focus on the good in everyone and every situation while ignoring the news of the world and turning away from confrontation on any front.

The Blue Jay

The stuck up blue jay is undoubtedly beautiful, but she can be harsh. She bosses everyone around, ruffling her feathers over the smallest things in defense, and is always quick to point out the faults of others. The other birds all know that there’s trouble in her nest, but she only allows you to see a stream of carefully orchestrated images of her so-called perfect life on social media.

The Sparrow

There is the busy little sparrow, darting back and forth, always busy doing something and making everyone else look lazy. She’s running the kids in the carpool, picking up the dry cleaning, clutching her caffeine in one hand and her phone in the other. Sitting still is not an option for this one.

The Oriole

You can’t help but notice the colorful oriole, the social influencer of the flock, wearing the latest styles and perfecting her most recent Tik Tok. She is frequently in your face touting the latest cosmetic procedures and products she uses to hide the fact that the effects of age are creeping up on her, just like everyone else. The others put her down behind her back, but they can’t seem to look away, and they all want what she is having.

The Crow

Oh, the crow, constantly complaining and squawking, focusing on the negative and viewing her glass as half empty. She compulsively pecks at other birds, trying to keep them down at her level. She may even try to take what another female has in desperate hopes that it will bring her what she needs to be happy: love, fulfillment, worthiness. Perhaps she will eventually learn that those things cannot be taken from others, they have to be cultivated within herself.

The Owl

Finally we see the wise owl, sitting up high and still, quietly watching everyone flitter around. She takes in their actions and then watches the outcomes play out. She observes the bird race with incredulity, but keeps her thoughts to herself until she is asked. She only gives out advice when it is solicited, but when she gives it, she is usually spot on. She tells it like it is, whether her opinion is popular or not. She is a sage, a wise truth-teller.

Can you match the faces of the women in your own circle to these birds? Think of each one of your friends, your family, your colleagues. We all know a few of those snooty blue jays and complaining crows, right? 

I truly hope you have an owl in your tribe that you can look to and count on.

Now listen carefully, my friend. You may admire many of these birds flying around you (which is great) and you may even aspire to be more like them (which is also fine), but here’s the thing about these birds: even though they can fly (which, let’s face it, is pretty amazing) they can only fly to a certain altitude. Regardless of their efforts to soar high they hit their limit, a ceiling that they cannot break through. So they learn to stay low, in their comfort zone, where it’s safe and familiar and attainable.

Eagles rise above

Not eagles. They can exceed this limitation and elevate themselves higher than any of the others. The eagle can soar above the other birds to a point where their complaints and judgments can no longer be heard. She has the motivation, the ambition and the tools necessary to drive her beyond all of the other birds, beyond the ceiling that holds them back. 

You, my friend, are an eagle. 

You have a big dream and you have the drive to pursue it. You have shown this by taking the time and energy to read this post and elevate your mindset. Your potential is positively limitless. You have seeds of greatness within you and you are taking action to grow and foster them as you strive toward your potential. 

You have the power to rise above the complacency and mediocrity of your past or current surroundings, regardless of the squawking around you. You do not have to heed the limitations of your upbringing or the negative circumstances of your life. You know that you have something special to offer and you have the fire in your soul to go after it. 

Be warned that the other birds in your life may not like this. The crows will try to pull you back down. They may tell you that you don’t have what it takes to soar, that you’re not good enough, pretty enough, smart enough, thin enough…

The chickens may look up at you and say, “Who do you think you are? Do you think you’re better than us? Remember your roots. Remember where you’re from. Stay down here on the ground where you belong.”  

Does this sound familiar?

Are you playing small for others?

Some birds of your flock may truly have the best of intentions for you. But they may also project their own fears onto you. This can be especially true of family members. The sad mourning doves may sigh heavily and tell you that you’ve changed, and you’re just not the same as you used to be. 

This probably means that you’re not conforming to them, and it makes them uncomfortable. 

Even the chipper chickadees could nervously worry that you’re out of your element, in over your head. Their chirping can ring out, “Do you really think you should try to fly so high? What if you’re not good enough to do it? Why don’t you just stay here with us, in your comfort zone, your safe place, where you belong? What if you get hurt? What if you fall?”

Oh my darling, but what if you fly?

Eagles do not allow other birds to cause them to doubt themselves or keep them down. She doesn’t play small to placate others. She doesn’t stay low to keep the peace or just because it’s always been done this way.

She soars because she can. She soars because she was designed to soar. 

You, my friend, are an eagle. 

You were designed by your creator to soar to the highest heights. You have the tools you need within you that are necessary to reach any dream that has been planted in your heart. All you have to do is continue to take action toward it. Keep your drive, your motivation, your ambition, your fire. 

Take that first step off of the branch

Take one step each day, then another, then another. Don’t stop until you reach your goal. Then set a new goal and repeat. 

You won’t know just how high you can fly until you step off of the branch. 

But what if you don’t fly at first? This is part of the beauty of life… you will learn from your mistakes and your unsuccessful attempts. You will make adjustments and try again. 

Turn a deaf ear to the squawking and negativity of the birds around you. Don’t let them keep you down, complacent and stagnant. Don’t dim your light to appease anyone else. 

Elevate your mindset. Elevate your thinking. Rise up above the naysayers and over your adversities. Soar over the mediocrity and ‘good enough’ attitudes of your current community. 

You don’t have to cut negative friends and family out of your life, but don’t let them diminish you. Don’t let them put limits on your potential based on theirs. You can remember your roots respectfully, but you don’t have to stay low. You were not meant to stay on the ground.

Are you ready to step out on your own?

Frequently when we see an eagle in the wild, it is alone. Stepping off of the branch of security and relying on your own wings to carry you can be scary, but sometimes treading out on your own is a necessary part of the journey. 

Get comfortable being with yourself, being your own advocate and cheerleader. Learn to appreciate your own company without relying on the approval of the other birds down below. 

Better yet, find a tribe of eagles to fly with. Seek out other eagles that will help lift you up higher, ones that will support and encourage you on your quest. Surround yourself with those who can relate with your dreams and match your ambition, other eagles who will keep your spirits up and validate your worth. 

Eagles are solution minded. They don’t dwell on ‘what ifs’ and ‘probably mights’. They troubleshoot and problem solve, rather than focusing on the negatives, like chickens tend to. 

Eagles collaborate and communicate, constantly nudging you forward out of your own comfort zone toward potential that you didn’t know you had within you.

God is famous for doing Extraordinary things through ordinary people

Some people were just meant to rise up above the others. They have something special inside of their soul that sets them apart. They have a special purpose they are meant to carry out, almost as if that seed was planted in their heart before they were born. These are the eagles. 

Don’t be fooled, they may seem ordinary on the outside for a period of their life, but when the time comes for them to fly, they will truly show the world that they are, in fact, extraordinary. 

You, my friend, are an eagle. 

To truly step into their greatness, eagles frequently have to break away from the rest of the flock. They must embrace their gifts and believe in their souls that they have what it takes to break through that ceiling of limitations. But when they do their efforts are rewarded and the world benefits from their greatness. 

History has shown us countless examples of incredible women who have chosen to take that first step off of their safe, comfortable branch and learned soar above the others toward their own positively limitless potential. They shattered the invisible glass ceiling and created openings for us to fly through.  

These extraordinary eagles have elevated themselves to single name status:

Beyonce

Beyonce Knowles grew up in a humble home in Houston, Texas. She started out singing from a young age and became the lead singer of one of the best-selling girl groups of our generation, Destiny’s Child.  Many women would have considered this their pinnacle, but not this eagle. She knew that she was born to soar. After cutting professional ties with manager (who also happened to be her father) she went on to pursue a solo career as her alter ego, Sasha Fierce. She set audacious goals for herself and surpassed expectations that would have limited the average woman. She is now considered one of the greatest entertainers of all time. In 2020, Time magazine featured her among a list of 100 women who defined the last century. We bow down, Queen Bey.

JLo

Jenifer Lopez found herself on her own at 18, after she left home in the Bronx at her mother’s request, due to her unpopular decision to quit college and pursue a dance career. She knew that seeds of greatness had been planted in her heart and she relentlessly went after her dreams of becoming a triple-threat entertainer, rising above the limitations and barriers that threatened to block her path. As a singer, actor, dancer, model, businesswoman, the Latin pop culture icon has soared above any and all expectations to become one of the most successful entertainers in the world.  In 2012, Forbes ranked her the world’s most powerful celebrity, and the 38th most powerful woman in the world. Not bad for the girl who once humbly dubbed herself, “Jenny from the Block.”

Oprah

Oprah Winfrey was born into poverty in rural Mississippi to a teenage single mother. She leapt off of her family branch at a young age, knowing that her path was destined for greatness. She broke the cycle of poverty she had been born into. Overcoming multiple adversities that would have grounded most women, she broke through limitations placed upon her as though they did not exist. Focusing on reaching one audacious goal after another, the revolutionary talk-show host, author, actress, influencer, media proprietor/producer and philanthropist has created a billion dollar empire and has been called “arguably the world’s most powerful woman” by CNN and Time magazine. Lady O is the personification of grace, class, ambition, determination, resilience and ultimately, success.

Diana

Diana Spencer Mountbatten overcame a different kind of limitation. Marrying the heir to the British Throne at 20 years old, the young Princess quickly realized that her position and title came with a set of proverbial shackles. It wasn’t until after her ground-breaking divorce that she was able to step into the potential of the woman she was born to be. She went against Royal protocol to bring global attention to human atrocities such as HIV/AIDS, abandoned landmines, cancer, homelessness and mental health struggles. She devoted her later years to influencing public opinion, using the constant and unwanted harassment from paparazzi to direct attention to areas that needed light. As a fiercely private, yet undeniably public figure, she repeatedly rose above the aggressive and negative crows surrounding her and soared above constant criticism and persecution to leave a legacy of compassion, style, charisma and high-profile charity work. She continues to be an influential symbol of grace and love and is still remembered as the People’s Princess.

Mary

As the story goes, Mary, a single teenage girl, was told by an Angel that she would bear a son that would be the Savior of the World. The unbearable pressure and scrutiny she was under would have crushed most people, and the incredible faith it took to step off of her branch is truly extraordinary. But she took one step, and then another. She rose above the haters and nonbelievers to be the mother of all mothers. If you are a Christian, can you imagine a world where she had listened to the flocks of chickens and crows and blue jays instead of the voice of God?

The list of amazing eagles goes on: Michelle Obama, Kendra Scott, Tina Turner, Diana Ross, and RBG, just to name a few. 

What if these Queens of our sisterhood had stuck with their flocks and played small to make the others feel more at ease? What if they had believed the ones who said they were not enough, that they could not reach the dreams that were blooming in their souls. What beauty and innovation would we have missed out on? 

These unstoppable women changed the world as they took to the sky and soared above the crowd. They shone their light as brightly as they could and just kept reaching higher. They shattered the ceiling of limitation and expectation above them and unlocked doors and windows that are open to us now. 

How did they accomplish all of this? It started with their first unknown step off of their safe little branch and tested out their wings. They tuned out the squawking that said they were not good enough or might fail. They discarded the advice that they should just play it safe and stay low to the ground. Instead they listened to the voice of their hearts and believed in the promise of the greatness that was placed within them.

You, my friend, are an Eagle

The seeds of greatness have been planted inside of you, as well. Step off of that branch and stretch your wings. Don’t let the chickens keep you down, or the other birds hold you back and convince you to play small. Stop worrying about what others think and conforming to those around you. Rise above your apparent limitations and set audacious goals for yourself. Surround yourself with other eagles who will help you rise up to meet your potential, and then push you even higher. Set your sights high and believe that you were made to soar above the rest because you have what it takes to meet your destiny and fulfill your wildest dreams. 

You, my friend, were born to soar.

You are positively limitless.