Sunday, April 24, 2011

Be an Eagle!

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. –A Course in Miracles

I knew someone once who had a cockatoo named Hank (or maybe it was Frank). When Hank wasn’t sitting on my friend’s shoulder nibbling his hair, he was on his perch, shifting from one foot to the other, bobbing his head, and squawking.

One day while I was visiting, my friend casually called to Hank on his perch, “Hey, Hank, be an eagle!” Hank stopped mid-shift, mid-bob, and froze. I chuckled, thinking that Hank was doing a poor imitation of an eagle. But then I stopped, mid-chuckle.

Something was happening. Hank’s eyes got darker, with little flames licking the blackness. He locked his smoldering gaze on me. I couldn’t move. He drew himself up straight. He was much bigger and taller than I had noticed. His talons were longer and sharper. His crest was fully erect. And then in slow motion he unfurled his wings until they seemed to stretch across the room. A more fierce raptor never graced any United States insignia.

Hank held his pose. My heart was pounding. The room was silent. And then he slowly folded his wings and shrank back into his goofy cockatoo self. It was still a few moments before I could move. I turned to my friend, who was lounging in his easy chair watching me, smiling.

I want to fly like an eagle
To the sea
I want to fly like an eagle
Let my spirit carry me
I want to fly like an eagle
Till I’m free
–lyrics from Fly Like an Eagle, Steve Miller
Posted by at 10:34 PM

26 comments:

  1. zaloetteApril 25, 2011 at 1:53 AM

    Hi Galen,

    Nice story the one you share! And a good comparison to what we can become if we want to.

    Kind regards,

    Antonio

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  2. AnonymousApril 25, 2011 at 5:23 AM

    Friends do the darnedest things! I can only imagine what a sight it was to see Hank transform in front of your eyes.
    I'll have to think about "our deepest fear being that we are powerful beyond measure". I hadn't thought of it before.
    Another lovely post Galen, thank you.

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  3. HavenApril 25, 2011 at 6:49 AM

    We can be who we choose to be. Hope that's true.

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  4. Bob LowryApril 25, 2011 at 6:57 AM

    I suggest a different quote: "Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are invisible."

    Being an eagle is a way to not blend into the background.

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  5. AnonymousApril 25, 2011 at 7:01 AM

    That is such a great story....we should all aim to "Fly like an Eagle".

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  6. 21 WitsApril 25, 2011 at 7:28 AM

    I do too! Hank is a marvelous example of ourselves being all that we can be! Your opening quote is one that I want to repeat over and over until I get it right...that we are powerful beyond measure.....is a good way of course! Have a great week !

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  7. darlinApril 25, 2011 at 9:43 AM

    Galen fantastic post. To soar like an eagle requires the help of many others I believe, sometimes the push off the cliff can be the best thing to do for someone to teach them how to fly as well.

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  8. Galen PearlApril 25, 2011 at 9:56 AM

    Thanks to all for your lovely comments! Funny, I had not thought about this story in awhile. Then recently, I had the good fortune to see a bald eagle in a tree watching for fish in the river. He (she?) was so beautiful. Then I remembered Hank (or maybe Frank). Glad y'all enjoyed the story.

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  9. Invisible MikeyApril 25, 2011 at 10:05 AM

    I liked it because maybe Hank IS an eagle, wearing a cockatoo disguise.

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  10. Galen PearlApril 25, 2011 at 10:09 AM

    Mikey--I thought that, too! What is Hank's true self? What is our true self? Deep.

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  11. PatriciaApril 25, 2011 at 12:08 PM

    Great story and I was feeling like I needed a push this past week...maybe I just need to act like an eagle and the push will come?

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  12. Jean BurmanApril 25, 2011 at 4:38 PM

    I LOVE THIS... thanks so much Galen! [You told it so well incidentally]

    Good on Hank for his ability to rise to his own greatness.

    Man... what an inspiration is that bird LOL

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  13. Coupon QueenApril 26, 2011 at 7:51 AM

    What a great reminder that we are all capable of great things if we put our minds to it. I loved this story!! Thank you for always giving me reminders that I seem to need just when I need them most! I wanted to let you know that a friend and I came up with an award and you are one of my recipients, hope you get a kick out of it. :) Hope you guys had a wonderful Easter!!!

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  14. KaraApril 26, 2011 at 9:01 AM

    I love this post! And Hank (Frank). He's my new inspiration! I'm tired of living life modestly, afraid of my own power. I think it's time to spread my wings and see just how high I can soar.

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  15. Galen PearlApril 26, 2011 at 9:10 AM

    Thanks for all your wonderful comments. I'm so pleased that Hank (Frank?) lives on as an inspiration to us all!

    Coupon Queen--Thanks for the award! Is it on your blog? I'll go check it out. Hope you had a great Easter, too!

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  16. AnonymousApril 26, 2011 at 2:44 PM

    That's awesome! You described the transformation perfectly. It's in the eyes ~ and you captured the difference between the eyes of a cockatoo and those of an eagle.

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  17. Galen PearlApril 26, 2011 at 7:07 PM

    nrhatch--Thanks for your comment. And yes, it was in the eyes. I really couldn't move.

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  18. Sihirli YazılarApril 27, 2011 at 3:07 AM

    Yes, I want to fly like an eagle, too!.. Besides "10 steps" caught my attention. At least I've applied the 10th one, so that I'm here now..

    Thanks for your nice comment in my blog and hope to keep in touch.

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  19. Angela ArtemisApril 27, 2011 at 9:29 AM

    Hi Galen,
    What a great illustration of how we too can become a higher version of ourselves by focusing our intentions. Thank you!

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  20. dsblanchardApril 27, 2011 at 10:54 AM

    Galen,

    I stopped by here from Ann's. I make it a practice to check out the blog of those who post immediately before me and immediately after me at Ann's on Mondays and Wednesdays. You posted after me today so I am here. I'd surely like to see a video clip of that cockatoo transforming into an eagle! I have trouble picturing it.

    Take care, Fellow Traveler,
    Dawn

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  21. Galen PearlApril 27, 2011 at 11:34 AM

    Sihirli--Thanks for commenting! Glad you are "here now."

    Angela--Glad to see you. Thanks for stopping by.

    Dawn--Welcome! I wish I did have a video of Hank being an eagle, although I'm not sure the real power of the experience could be captured on camera.

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  22. StuartApril 27, 2011 at 12:57 PM

    Any cockatoo can be an eagle. Any ugly duckling can be a swan. Any person can be a hero :-)

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  23. Mari Sterling WilburApril 29, 2011 at 9:06 AM

    Galen.
    Great blog posts!! I've read through several and am now following you and have subscribed to your email. Hope you will follow back :D

    Regards, Mari

    http://www.mariscamera.blogspot.com/

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  24. Galen PearlApril 29, 2011 at 9:45 AM

    Stuart--Well said!

    Mari--Welcome and thanks for your comment. I look forward to visiting your blog.

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  25. Evelyn LimMay 4, 2011 at 2:16 AM

    I love how you have shared a message about soaring and being in a little story. You're a great writer, Galen!

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  26. Galen PearlMay 4, 2011 at 7:55 AM

    Evelyn--Thank you!

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