Lessons from a Bird

Posted on by Miriam

Going after our dreams isn’t always smooth sailing, but then again, nothing worthwhile ever is. Before you can fly, you have to learn how to walk.

When we set our mind on something it can feel exhilarating. However, when doubters come and question our dreams it can bring us down with a thump.

They don’t intentionally stifle us but their underlying words imply “what are you doing with your life?”

It can be hard when we feel we’re not understood, but perhaps the biggest barrier to achieving our dreams is ourselves and our own thought patterns, those nagging doubts that creep back in.

They can be hard to break out of, but when we recognise it we can take steps to change those limiting thoughts.

Take a cue from this guy.

Brush turkey (800x600)

He’s not scared to take a risk.

I don’t think he realised that Captain Cook roasted up a similar type of bird when he landed in Australia back in 1770.

Surround yourself with the right type of people, ones who will support you. Remember “it’s hard to soar like an eagle when you’re surrounded by turkeys!”

Following our own path is exciting though some days it can feel like we’re standing still or going backwards.

Maybe we need to be more like an emu, fast, sure footed and long legged!

little-desert-silver-camera-083-800x599

Did you know emus have only three toes on each foot and they can’t move backwards?

They also have two sets of eyelids, one for blinking and one to keep the dust out, so they must have a lot of hindsight and foresight.

Wish I had that kind of vision!

emu (600x800)
They aren’t the most attractive bird, but they do say that beauty lies within. We’re all entitled to our bad hair days, aren’t we?

Maybe we need to be more like a kookaburra. They seem to have a light hearted approach to life.Their laughing call is to mark their territory but I always think it sounds like they’ve heard a hilarious joke.

Hearing them always makes me smile.Laughter and smiling, it’s got to be a good tonic on those off colour days.

Kooka side on (800x600)

This kookaburra seems to be having a good day. Still, centred and balanced yet he’s undoubtedly not afraid to step out of his comfort zone.

No bird ever got anywhere by staying put on a branch all day, as tempting as it might be. Take a risk or two.

At some point we have to take a leap that propels us into action.

Kooka (800x533)

Taking action summons miracles, whether we believe it or not.

So why do we hesitate?

Bird details (800x600)

We grab on to anything, we overthink, we hang on and make excuses, we look to others.

But there comes a time when we have to move …

Walkerville Seagulls2 (800x533)

We just have to go for it. 

Small steps, baby steps, it doesn’t matter so long as we’re moving.

Just like these two gulls are doing. They look like they’re on a mission.

I guess we all are, one way or another, and with a little encouragement from those around us, and our own willingness to grow, we’re capable of big things.

Lakes Entrance October 2011 122 (800x600)

We can learn to fly!

I’ll leave the final word to this cheeky chatty magpie who took a shine to us recently while camping in Yackandandah.

I wonder what she’s saying.

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Maybe she’s tweeting … “Don’t be afraid. Go after your dreams”

“Appreciate the little things, one day they’ll be the big things”.

Maybe she was singing  “Just do it it.” Who knows?

Whatever our fine feathered friends are saying, they have the right idea. They’re flying free and nothing holds them back. 

We need to take a cue from them.

hang-glider-int-he-air

Let’s shake off those fears and go for it. Let’s go after our dreams and make them real. 

If we can dream it, we can do it. 

Wishing you all an inspired dream filled week ahead.

In response to Frank’s Tuesday Photo Challenge: Bird

59 thoughts on “Lessons from a Bird”

  2. I need a LOVE button for this post. Using birds to show us the different ways we can move forward in life is brilliant, and thank you for the wonderful photos of birds I have never seen as they don’t live here in my region. The video is wonderful- he obviously had something he wanted to get across- and he had no fear of people?Amazing!! ❤ ❤

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    1. Thanks so much Lisa, I really enjoyed putting this one together. As for that magpie, yes, it was quite a chatterbox, so comfortable around us, and kept coming back, yes, just amazing. x

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  3. Loved this post Miriam… I can’t really explain, but let’s just say I needed to read this, this morning 🙂 Thank you!

    Besides, went to listen to a kukkaburra (close enough?)… I had never heard of the little feathery things, but they do sound like they are laughing… That is too cute!

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    1. Aww, I’m so glad you enjoyed this Cyranny. Thank you. As for those kookaburras, aren’t they awesome. We have them visit at home every now and then and it’s always special. 🙂

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  4. Pingback: Lessons from a Bird — Out an’ About | A Day In The Life

  15. Wonderful post Miriam, and I smiled as you spoke how brave that inquisitive bird became as you referenced Captain Cook!
    And I must remember the line about it being hard to soar like an eagle while being surrounded by turkeys lol.. Chuckled at that one..
    Loved your analogy with all the birds and their traits.. And what a beautiful song your magpie has.. Unlike our own which craws..
    May we all keep going after our dreams.. And follow them..
    May we all keep flying..
    Thank you for this wonderful profound post filled with beauty..
    Have a wonderful week Miriam..
    Love and Hugs
    Sue ❤ xxx

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    1. Thanks so much Sue. My hubby used to say that one liner about being hard to soar like an eagle when he was at his last work place, it always stuck with me. Glad you enjoyed this post, it was fun putting it all together with all my bird shots, especially the magpie, she was amazing.
      Hope you’re well. Enjoy the week ahead. Hugs xo ❤️

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  16. Wonderful post Miriam, I really have a good time reading it and also trying to absorb the info and images of all these birds. So different to ours.
    To use them to show courage and daring to get out of the comfort zone is a great idea.
    In spite of so many exotic birds I fell for the picture of the two seagulls companionably and calmly going their way.

    I quote a little boy running after pigeons :” Birda, wings, fly!” It has always stuck with me.
    miriam

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  17. I’ve got a half written post that I wrote a while back and never finished. I was looking through my draft posts this morning and noticed it and thought I must go back to it and finish it. It’s title: “Eagles fly higher than pigeons!” – spend time with the eagles and leave the pigeons to battle each other on the ground. You’re definitely starting to soar like an eagle Miri! I love the video of the talking bird too.. very comical and definitely made me smile. xx

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    1. It was funny actually cos Doug was flicking through an old photo album last night (when we still made photo albums) and he found an awesome photo of a massive eagle with its wings outstretched that he pointed out to me. It wound have been perfect for this post. Such awe inspiring birds.
      Your post sounds great, great minds thinking alike again. Here’s to both of us soaring like an eagle, and steering clear of those turkeys haha xo

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  20. Wow Miri you nailed this week’s challenge that’s for sure!! Truly, what an amazing post and I love all the “scenarios” you put with each bird. I love that the emu can’t go backwards…why go back? I love that he has hindsight and foresight. I love the brave bird who decided to join you at the campfire…looking our dreams right in the eye!! I love the kookaburra birds…that would be me cuz I love that kook is in my name and laughing is my favorite pastime!! Who doesn’t love a good joke. Oh or maybe I love to be that black swan…gorgeous!! You are so right on with all you say so inspirational and beautifully put!! You have the best posts, I love where you start us from, lead us through and send us off feeling so empowered!! I know what the magpie is saying…”Just do it…did you hear me…just do it!!! As you said. Big lesson hugs brilliant lady xo

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    1. OMG I just love reading your comments Deb, you always put the biggest smile on my face. Yes, I reckon of all the birds you’re most like the Kookaburra, pretty, cute, quirky, smiley , full off laughter and with the biggest and kindest heart. That’s you. Thanks for your gorgeous empowering comment. Let’s both “just do it”. Big hugs back xo

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      1. And now you have done the same to me…the biggest smile is on my face too!! Thank you for all your kind words, I am a Kookaburra and I’m gonna own it!! You’re most welcome my gorgeous lady!! Yes let’s just do it!! Big kooky hugs xo

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  21. I love your posts Miriam, birds are one of my favourite things. I am blessed to be visited by a kookaburra most days. He sits on the fence outside my window. Such a stunner. The song of the magpie, second only to the blackbird.

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  23. I don’t think he realised that Captain Cook roasted up a similar type of bird when he landed in Australia back in 1770.

    That’s was funny 😂
    Nice post and very nice life philosophy with which I completely agree.
    Keep the positive energy and spread it around you
    I believe that anything is possible if we want it enough.

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