Transformations Takes Time
The other day I was scrolling through social media and saw a short video talking about eagles. It explained that the eagle reaches a point in life when their beaks grow too long and become curved and blunt, their claws become too dull to hunt and their feathers become thick. These things happen when they reach about 40 years old and the eagle is faced with a choice. It can go through an arduous transformation or die.
The transformation includes pounding its beak on a rock until it falls out. When their new beak grows they use it to pull out its dulled claws. While their claws are growing they pull out their thick feathers which ar soon replaced. The entire process takes about 150 days or a little less than six months.
The video didn’t mention how many eagles choose death compared to this transformative process, instead it talked about a lesson which may benefit you as it has me. In life we may be faced with choices knowing full well the process will be uncomfortable and painful. Choosing is casual, but making a decision is quite different. Decide basically means to cut off or to kill off. Meaning, the old way is no longer an option, you’re beyond choosing.
Years ago I made a decision to fulfill my purpose, the reason I was created. The process has been uncomfortable, but not all the time. Over the years I lived in three countries and three hemispheres. I’ve faced many challenges and obstacles. I pounded out my beak and ripped out my claws, with the last of my feathers being pulled. The old version of me died on February 1, 2024 as the result of a motorcycle accident. This facilitated pulling the remaining claws and feathers a bit less uncomfortable.
You may not face a life altering experience like mine. Yours may be a bit more subtle and not as dramatic as three weeks in the hospital and nearly dying. I truly believe without the accident I would have continued making a slow transformation that could have lasted years. As a result of the accident, I’m fully committed to a painful and uncomfortable transformation. I rarely make outbound calls. I rarely go out to lunch or dinner. I seldom kill time and surf the internet. Those things slow my transformation and that behavior is no longer acceptable.
The transformation takes time. The decision to change takes a split second, but the work needed for the transformation takes time. For the eagle, about 150 days or five months. After all the physical healing and medication ceased, I’d say I’m about two months into this process. A new set of ideas on how to get things accomplished; a renewed clarity of thoughts; a resurgence of vigor and determination; and finally a change of perspective are some of the byproducts. Also, a new attitude that will listen and evaluate the experience of others. The last six months of the year will bring more than the first six months as my transformation will be completed and a new version of my previous self will take over.
Today, Wednesday, June 26, 2024, I am grateful that: