To Inspire:

I listen to the Ed Mylett Show, a podcast on living with purpose and becoming the best version of yourself. Ed is a Christian entrepreneur and uses his podcast to interview individuals from all walks of life who have pursued greatness in their lives.

On a recent podcast Ed shared an interesting story from his own life. On his vacation property were two bald eagles that he and his wife enjoyed watching each day. A local wildlife expert explained that the two were a couple and that while their offspring would fly off to establish their own “homes,” these two would remain together for life. Ed went on to share with his listeners that the male died, leaving his mate all alone. Ed learned from the wildlife expert that in most cases, once one mate dies, the other will die within a year or so, primarily from loneliness. Ed and his wife watched the surviving spouse each day to see how she was doing. After a few weeks she began banging her beak against some rocks and pulling out feathers from her body. They feared she was trying to take her life. They again reached out to the local wildlife expert who got very excited when they shared what the bird was doing. He explained that in about 2% of cases, the surviving bald eagle will sharpen his or her beak on rock and pull out feathers not needed – in essence remaking themselves in order to thrive and live. That was exactly what this eagle was doing. And sure enough, within a couple more months, this eagle had a new mate and was on a nest with baby eagle eggs.

Perhaps there’s a lesson in this story for us. When we go through a traumatic chapter in our lives, do we give up and step away from life, like most bald eagles do that have lost their mate? Or do we begin to remake ourselves for the next chapter of our life – sharpening the parts of us that have dulled and eliminating behaviors or attitudes that are not serving us well.

Difficulties, even sufferings, are invitations to move forward in life – to see life’s beauty and the opportunities that still await us. While difficult, these seasons of life are often the ones in which we grow the most – in faith, hope, and love.

Let’s be like the 2% of bald eagles that remake themselves after a loss. Life is such a gift – let’s live it with passion, purpose, and gratitude!

Have a great weekend!

Written by Matt Palmer, Partner and Co-Founder