One day while walking down a quiet path, a man found an eagle holding an enormous chain. He asked the eagle, “Why are you holding that chain” to which the eagle replied, “I cannot let it go!” The man asked why not and the eagle responded, “Each link on this chain was made by the poor choices I made. The only way I can let them go is to repair the damage I caused.” The man thought about the simplicity of the action. If all the eagle had to do was repair the damage that was done, why didn’t he just do that? The man looked politely at the eagle and asked how long it has been since he flew. The eagle responded that he had just finished flying, but it was too difficult to stay in the air because of the heavy chain. The man looked at the eagle and said “Would you like to fly like you used to?” The eagle doubtfully said “I would like to, but this chain is too great. It has my power.” The man looked the eagle in the eyes and with love in his heart said, “Do you know what needs to be done.” The eagle knew, although he didn’t want to say anything. Holding in his thoughts, the eagle looked at the man and said “What needs to be done?” The man, holding his gaze on the eagle said, “You need to right the wrongs.” The eagle looked up at him and said “I know! but it is too hard.” The man put his arm around the eagle and said “No matter what happens, I will be here for you. If you need me to fly with you or be with you, I will be there. You are the most important being to me in this world right now.” The eagle thanked the man and told him that he would take care of what needed to be done. The man said “Great! By when?” The eagle said “I will do it right away.” The man asked the eagle to meet him in that very spot as time went on to tell him how it was going and to support him. The eagle agreed and went to work righting the wrongs. Often, the eagle would meet with the man and share of his experiences; each time he returned the chain grew smaller and smaller. One day the chains were gone and the eagle flew like the man had promised. He flew higher and more powerfully than he ever had. The man and the eagle were friends for life, and the eagle never again bound himself in the chains.
Choose up!
Nicholas Townsend Smith
The Expert Performance Coach
