Year Two, Day 237: The Chicken Eagle

I have just finished week two of A Daily Meditation Program Based on The Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius.

Yesterday's story really resonated with me. I had my son read it, as it applied to a recent conversation we had about his life. And I read it again just now. In the background is playing the Christian song, "Thrive" by Casting Crowns

"...We know we were made for so much more than ordinary lives. It`s time for us to more than just survive. We were made to thrive." Casting Crowns

Here is the story:

"There`s a legend about an Indian boy who found an eagle`s egg. He took the egg home and put it in a chicken`s nest. A baby eagle hatched out of the egg and grew up with the other baby chickens. The little eagle thought he was a chicken and did what the other chickens did. He scratched in the dirt, made chicken noises, and thrashed his wings about awkwardly, rising only a few feet off the ground. One day the little eagle saw a beautiful bird soaring high in the sky above him. It glided on the wind in great circles. "What a marvelous bird!" the eagle said to an adult chicken standing nearby. "That`s an eagle," said the adult chicken. "It`s the king of the birds. But don`t get any silly ideas. You could never be like him or do what he`s doing."

(A Daily Meditation Program Based on The Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius, Mark Link, S.J.)

The study questions asks: "How is this story a parable of Jesus, myself, and who I really am?"

I did not have to think long. All my life people have told me I am a talented musician. I love music. I enjoy playing piano, listening and teaching. But I have never really considered myself talented. I was taught at a very young age to play piano and read music. (I was 3). But it was hard work that got me here. 

I feel like deep down I am a writer. In fact, writing this blog has become my life boat. When I am feeling down, depressed, unmotivated, unloved, I can always come here and write about it. It gives me something to look foward to, a creative outlet and a way to vent.

Some day I would like to publish a book or two.  And like the story of the eagle masquerading as a chicken, I must believe that anything is possible.

I always tell my children and students that.

What is good enough for them is good enough for this eagle-chicken! Or perhaps I am a chicken eagle? That does make more sense!

And speaking of eagles, I have been following the "Southwest Florida Eagle Cam".  One eagle has hatched, but the other egg is still intact. I found myself drawn to the video of this mama eagle days before the new year, before I read the eagle chicken story.  Maybe this is the year of the eagle for me?

You can find the eagle cam here: http://www.dickpritchettrealestate.com/eagle-feed.html

On that note, I must fly the coop and teach some students!

Happy Tuesday!