‘Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition inspired and success achieved.’
Helen Keller
This story by Richard Wagamese from ‘One Drum’ is a beautiful example of what it takes for us to soar gracefully in life.
Once we were walking in the bush. It was a perfect cloudless day in the mountains of Kananaskis Country, outside of Calgary. When we entered a glade I looked up and saw a golden eagle soaring over us.
I stopped and watched the great bird as it held its wings motionless and skimmed the treetops and ridges. It was beautiful.
“That’s how I want to be,” I said. “Moving through my life as gracefully as that.”
Jack didn’t speak for a while.
We walked and every now and then I got another glimpse of the eagle through the tops of the trees.
“Not as easy as it looks from down here,” he said. From here it looks as though that bird has no worries, no cares in the world— he’s just a powerful being soaring over everything.”
“But the truth is, it takes a heck of a lot of work to be that graceful.”
He took the eagle feather from his hat brim and motioned for me to sit beside him on a log. “This feather looks like one thing at first but if you look closely at it there’s a lot more there.”
He traced the long stem with a finger. “On each side of this shaft there are flaments. They don’t look like much all on their own but together they make up the feather.
When that bird is flying she has to know how to work each one of those flaments to capture the flow of the air and direct it. There’s thousands of them. Hundreds on each feather. So it takes a lot of learning and patience to know how to do that and to approach the natural grace that you envy.”
“Then there’s the wind. When the eagle’s up there so high she’s got to learn how to read the treetops and the clouds and the far horizons so that she knows the state of the wind.
This takes keen vision and the eagle needs to be able to look at the grasses and see the effect of the wind on them. She needs to be able to feel updrafts and low pressure areas at all times.
“And so, even though the eagle is born with the dream of flight, it takes a great deal of work to achieve this.”
LIVING IN THIS MOMENT 
A beautiful story shared Karen. We do tend to take things a little at face value. But I have no doubt as we dare this life it would share its depth also, until all our filaments were understood, life’s wind testing us constantly, to finally be appreciative of that love and grace that we are. Thank you for sharing yours kind lady 🤗❤️🙏
Yes so true Mark. When we are willing and disciplined to move into the fullness of our true nature, the universe indeed reflects that fullness back to us! Keep soaring high 🦅🌈🦅
Wow Karen, I am very aware of that work and diligence to Spirit as we move forward through and into that grace-making of the eagle’s flight. Lovely story. Thank you very much! What is behind the ease and grace can be very specific and calculated awareness honed by practice and the determination to continue on! 🦅💗
Yes Ka, you are absolutely committed to the work it takes! and you my friend are a beautiful reflection of someone who soars gracefully in your unique expression of life. 🦅 🧡🦅
None of us knows what any one of us has experienced, has struggled with and what it takes to get through each moment of every day. What is visible to us when we gaze upon another human, or any species, is a small part of the full story of that other. May we all open to allowing for the very possibility that as easy as anything may appear…it simply isn’t. Great story and makes the point of the complexities and challenges we never see. 💜🙏🏻
You make such a good point Carrie. There is always so much comparison and envy in the world of one another and yet, often it’s based on illusion. Each of us is here to walk their own journey and our individual learnings and healings, step by step. Your comments are always welcomed here and may you continue to soar in your beautiful understanding and wisdom of life. 🦅🌈🦅🩷
Wonderful wisdom in this story, Karen.
Thank you Michele. 🩷🌈It inspired me to share.
Love this story. May we all find our wings and keep soaring 🪶🦅🙏
Absolutely Val 🦅 to soar and express ourselves fully! Thank you 🌈🌸🌈
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Loved this story, Karen. There is so much struggle and strife, which is a part of life, a part of growth… and through it all we reach our dreams. I wish you a wonderful weekend ~
So true Randall, our challenges and discipline often give room for something beautiful to emerge! 🌸☘️🌸 Have a great week too.
Karen, “But the truth is, it takes a heck of a lot of work to be that graceful.” No truer words.
God has graced us all, even in the animal world, the gift of purpose. But unless we exercise the will to endure and persist the hinderances, all that we are capable of cannot be achieved. Unlike the eagle we alone have the burden of sloth.
-Alan
Absolutely Alan. It is a path of discipline and commitment but for those who say yes to this, the rewards are great. Many blessings to you. 🙏🏻🎄🌿🎄
And to you also, Karen. A very Merry Christmas to you and the family.
-Alan
Thank you Alan and a Merry Christmas to you and your family too 🎄🎁🎄🎁