A Rebirth in 2024— And Why It Matters…

You’ve perhaps heard of this story I am about to tell you, one of the stories that uniquely inspired my resolve after I came across it while reviewing animal documentaries on National Geographic— the story of a moulting eagle.

The story has it that over time as the eagle grows old beyond his final adult plumage, his wings become heavy with dirt and oil, his beak and talons start to break, and his eyesight becomes weak. Hunting becomes ever challenging, and even sluggish mice will jaywalk to their holes in the ground unafraid of the pitiful swoop of the once graceful apex predator from the skies. He had it all but wasted his good days, I imagine this is what they would say. Soon, nature presents the eagle with life’s determination on his death nest, which is to survive or die, to change or to perish from the treetops with his glory days forgotten in the canopies. Nature will also insist that the only way to survive is if the eagle leaves everything behind to moult.

Moulting is easier said than done because, for the eagle, this is a painful process of rebirth, isolation and self-deprivation. To be safe from predators, he will choose a deserted valley perceived to be relatively safe to start this process. He will have no choice but to pluck out his wings, break off his beak by smashing it on a rock, and rub off his talons so that they are completely removed from their claws. During this process, the pain will become unbearable and many eagles ultimately die. The eagle also cannot hunt during this time, and he becomes dependent on his brothers and sisters for food, siblings who may as well give up and leave him to die. ?

Eagles that survive this horrid rebirth will always emerge stronger, faster, and sharper than before. Moulting therefore becomes the way of rejuvenating all his wings to enable him to soar again and lead a longer life. Incredible, isn’t it?

But why go to lengths to draw inspiration from the story of an eagle? What’s its relevance anyway?

?I do so because nature has a way of presenting us with life lessons, reminding us that although the promise of good and better is always certain, and that although our God-given grace is sufficient to warrant new beginnings, we have to make the conscious choice that we need to get ourselves moving. We need to decide for ourselves that we have stayed too long in our pits; in our self-imposed prisons of bad habit and addiction, and thus it's time to decide to get out. Only then can we recognize help when it comes away, without which we will second guess it.

And just like the eagle, it is possible that our wings have become heavy with dirt and oil, our beaks and talons have started to break, and our eyesight has become weak. You’ll notice it when little things suddenly irritate you, or when you can’t connect with people you should anymore. You’ll recognize it when you’re fighting more often in your home that once had love, or when you find yourself frustrated in your career and you don’t seem to grow. If you’re keen enough, you’ll notice it too when you start to discuss people instead of ideas, valuing competition over individual growth. You will notice that every word the jaywalker says gets to you because self-confidence is lost from you, and for once, every other opinion has the deadly capacity to torpedo your self-esteem albeit being empty shells fired from the most harmless of human vessels. At other times, you’ll notice it when everyone begins to call you “the nice” and “the good” because you’ve lost the ability to define boundaries and say No.?

When that happens we have fallen into a sinkhole, and unless we make the conscious choice to climb out, we run the risk of abusing God-given grace when it is still sufficient. Grace that is abused has the distinctive characteristic of never coming back, and in its shadow looms despair and regret.? Change on the other hand is not easy, it requires us to be invested, and sometimes can cost us friendships we hold dear.

So what then do we do, after realizing that we have fallen into a pit and have made the conscious decision to get out?

First will be defining what matters to you in our individual space. It defeats reason to set goals without an understanding of what such goals mean to you in the first place. It is like having a map without an understanding of compass bearings. You’ll head northeast because you lacked the understanding home was northwest. ?Apply the standard therefore— that if it won't matter in five years, then it shouldn't be worth our time. When you begin to define what matters you begin to shed old feathers for new, and worn-out eyesight for a sharper vision. While at it, you will begin to realize there’s so much that has been weighing you down, simply because you refuse to acknowledge its heavy yoke on your progress. Amongst all, you’ll realize that so much depends on habits; some of them being old enough that they must die hard. A human being, whether complete or incomplete, is a product of their habit. Whatever thinketh a man so he becomes, and whatever does a man so he shall come to be known by.

The beauty of defining what matters to you is that it helps you focus your energy where it is most needed. If it's family that matters to you, you’ll begin to make time for little things in your family like a meal together, or talking about issues and not sweeping them under the carpet. If it's your career that will matter, then you will begin to work on your professional development and brand yourself to attract opportunities. You will begin to love the tie or dress you resented because it speaks value to you. Sometimes you’ll find yourself reviewing your phone book to find out which friends you need to keep, and you’ll begin to ask yourself if you need the others in your phonebook at all. Soon, you will realize that you have begun to say no often to things that don’t matter— and don’t mind if you find yourself isolated. Remember you’re an eagle moulting and isolation is a consequence you must suffer. You have to come out in the end better than you’ve ever been.

Then comes the pressing question— I have identified what matters to me, how best can I see to it that it matters and that the effort was worth it?

I am no authority on success factors to speak confidently on this matter, with the appreciation that it takes sacrifice and a lot of hard work. I do know however that with everything we practice, we become good at, which speaks to the need to be deliberate and consistent with what matters to us. With consistency comes self-discipline, something many of us struggle with more times than often. Self-discipline isn't about suppressing emotions or denying oneself enjoyment entirely. Rather, it involves managing impulsive behaviour and making choices that align with individual values and objectives (and what matters most) even when they might conflict with our immediate desires or comfort. It's a skill that can only be developed and strengthened through consistent practice, fostering resilience and enabling individuals to achieve their long-term goals.

Nevertheless, always remember that even eagles that fall to the ground are birds that are learning to fly again, and with the will to soar, they’ll eventually roam the skies. Give yourself time, with persistence and will you’ll grow. I say this knowing sometimes we see others living their goals and we are often tempted to compete at their pace, forgetting that we all sail in different boats. Your boat may be laden with responsibilities and sometimes leaks, while your friend on the other hand may have inherited a diesel engine and thus doesn’t have to paddle as you do. Of importance is knowing and understanding your boat, then pacing yourself against the sea and the tide, not the other boats sailing beside you. You’ll be okay, I promise you.

Above all things, I pray that the universe shall be kind to you and that the new year is a year of growth, fulfilment and self-discovery. May you find the courage to rebirth yourself, knowing you can, and trusting that you will.

?A happy new year 2024 to you. Blessings galore!