Chapter 1: The Essence of Your True Potential

Recently, I came across a thought-provoking statement from author Derek Rydall: “Your circumstances do not dictate your destiny.” This powerful idea resonated with me, reminding me of countless individuals who have triumphed over difficult beginnings to achieve extraordinary success, regardless of their upbringing.

To illustrate this, let me share a story that symbolizes this theme—it's about the contrast between chickens and eagles.

One spring day, a farmer stumbled upon an unusual egg near a stream on his property. The egg appeared flawless and intact, resembling that of a bird. Uncertain of its origin, the farmer decided to place it among the chicken eggs in his coop.

Weeks later, the farmer returned to find that the egg had hatched. Among the chicks, one stood out: it was dark brown with an oddly shaped beak. Though the farmer was still unsure of its species, he allowed this unique chick to grow up alongside the others.

Photo by Lars Kuczynski on Unsplash

Months passed, and a passing salesman noticed the peculiar bird scratching and pecking at the ground like the other chickens. Recognizing its distinctiveness, he approached the farmer, exclaiming, “Sir, I believe you have an eagle among your chickens!” The farmer dismissed the idea, but the salesman insisted, stating that eagles have an instinctive ability to fly.

Determined to prove his point, the salesman picked up the bird and felt its strong wings. He tossed it gently into the air, where it briefly hovered before descending back to the ground. After several attempts, the bird managed to soar about eight or nine feet high.

Seeing this, the farmer laughed and scattered some chicken feed on the ground, causing the bird to abandon its flight and join the others in pecking for food. “It’s been raised with chickens, so it’s a chicken!” the farmer chuckled.

The salesman, however, wasn’t ready to give up. He asked to take the bird to a nearby mountain for another try. The farmer, still amused, agreed.

Photo by amy lynn grover on Unsplash

Once they reached the mountain, the salesman carefully launched the bird into the wind. To everyone’s amazement, the bird began to flap its wings with newfound vigor and soared gracefully above the landscape. Soon, it was joined by other birds, navigating the skies alongside them.

Upon returning to the farm, the salesman approached the farmer, who jokingly asked, “So where’s my chicken?” With a smile, the salesman replied, “With all due respect, just because you raised that bird with chickens doesn’t make it a chicken. It’s an eagle, destined to soar, not to peck around with the chickens.”

The Lesson

No matter the circumstances of your birth or the challenges you face, there exists an eagle within you! You need not settle for a life of mere survival, scratching for scraps. The eagle inside you yearns for elevation, to witness and experience the abundant blessings that life has in store.

Remember, there is an eagle within you—has always been and always will be. You were not created to peck among the chickens; you were meant to soar with the eagles!

Photo by John Silliman on Unsplash