Ready to hatch?

As I was perusing my collection of photos for some inspiration for today's blog, I came across a photo I had taken this summer in Hatton, ND of some eggs in a nest.

These beautiful blue eggs in a lovingly prepared nest, and what of the creatures that lie within that turquoise shell. The exterior, beautiful now, that shell, but it won't last for long. Soon they will be pecking from the inside, breaking out of the shell, out into a world which they couldn't imagine. A world so complex and vast, once they are living in it, they will wonder how they ever lived inside that cramped little shell. Once their wings have found flight and are soaring, there is no going back. Why would they want to?

But the shell is not without its advantages. It is private, warm and comfortable. It is safe. Growth, however, can't happen inside that shell, there just isn't room. At some point, the shell has to go, has to be broken free from, and those little wings need to take flight. The whole process has to be a bit frightening. From that first glimpse of light streaming through the smallest of cracks in the shell, to the smell of fresh air, the blue of the sky and the green of the tree and of the grass.

How are you like that little bird, in the shell?

What lies just outside of your shell? A new job, a new relationship, a new passion for life, a life beyond your wildest dreams?

I think we all have a little of that bird in us. Comfortable with who we are, and where we are at. Maybe dreaming of a life outside of our "shell" but not quite ready to start breaking free. Or maybe you have seen that first ray of light and it scared you a little bit, so you retreated. Maybe you are allowing your eyes to adjust to the light gradually, waiting to make a grand entrance. Or maybe you just forgot, you were meant to fly?

Now, the shell isn't going to magically burst open with you soaring into the sky, doing loop-de-loops, and singing a beautiful song all at once. It may take time. The loop-de-loops will come, they are just going to take a little practice. But, you can't practice them inside your shell. You have to start pecking on that shell, find a way to allow some of that brilliant sun to shine in, start working on breaking free.

So, how do I do that?

First, lets identify your shell? What is it that keeps you stuck in the same place? Your job, your weight, your attitude? Think about it, really think. It is easy to jump to conclusions, but when you really think about it, what is it that is holding you back from soaring, from being who you want to be? If you are visual, you can put a color to it, maybe some spots. We aren't going to be holding on to it for long, so if you don't like the color of your shell, lets pick a new color, something more vibrant and beautiful. Something like you, let's paint it a color that will let people know that something spectacular is coming from this shell.

OK, next....start pecking, start dreaming of that loop-de-loop, start writing that melody. Like I said, you aren't going to spring free all at once, it is going to take time and effort. Knowing where to start is sometimes the most difficult, sometimes paralyzing. But start. Start pecking, it doesn't matter where in the shell, just find a spot and start. Do something to get yourself moving toward your dream. Just one thing, each day. One thing that will bring you closer to your dream.

But that can be scary. Not knowing what is beyond that shell. Others around you are starting to break free, you can feel their movement, you can hear them, you can maybe even sense their taking off into flight. And it's OK to be a little scared, but you are strong enough to move past that. Strong enough to be the one who breaks free, how takes flight and leads the others.

And the melody? Find your melody, an affirmation, a theme song that keeps you going. When that fear sets in, start signing. If nothing else the singing will keep you breathing. It doesn't have to be beautiful, any song will do, it just has to mean something to you. In good times, keep singing, and when things aren't going well, sing even louder. It is your attitude, your melody, which will keep you focused on your dream.

So, for today.....what is one thing you can do to get yourself closer to your dream? What one thing can you do to start breaking free? Maybe it is just finding your melody? Maybe it is just scoping out that shell, perhaps it isn't as thick as you think? Today, do something...start pecking.

P.S. You will be doing loop-de-loops in no time, I just know it!