Excerpt



To the scientific community, its name is haliaeetutus leucocephalus. But for most of us, its name is simply the bald eagle. The bald eagle was named by North American colonists when the word bald meant white, not hairless. The name bald eagle means different things to different people. Some of the images that come to mind are, power, serenity, confidence, courage, freedom, peace, focus, and grace. It is almost too much for the mind to grasp that one magnificent creature possesses and embodies so many of these admirable and desirable qualities.

It is my hope that you will consider the character traits and qualities discussed throughout this book as tools that can be used to make your journey through life more peaceful and graceful.

Power. Throughout history, the eagle has been a symbol of power. Understanding that the ultimate power we can have is to be in control of our attitudes is an important part of having peace in our lives as it will free us from the often painful roller coaster ride of allowing the actions and opinions of others to control our attitudes. Another important part of being in control of our attitudes is developing and exercising our ability to use the precious space between stimulus and response. Each person has the ability to use this time to determine their own attitude. Being in control of our attitudes can make a huge difference in how we interact with, and are perceived by others.

Confidence. Confidence is developed through understanding the intricate balance between reality and perception. Our sense of self-confidence is something that must be developed, nurtured, and guarded. It is confidence that allows us to pursue the hopes and dreams we have for the future. Humans seem to be the only animal that will make a sport out of building and then destroying another persons sense of worth and confidence. Animals do not suffer a lack of confidence, nor are they arrogant. They have accepted their place in the circle of life with grace and confidence. It is important to understand that faced with difficult times, God will give us the strength and confidence we need.

Serenity. Serenity is not easily found in the fast pace of life we are required to keep up in todays world. Ironically, it is something that people want, need, and are seeking. Taking a few quiet moments to investigate, think, and plan each day can help give us the sense of being in control or the serenity we need to make it through the day. It is important to take a few moments to clear ones mind of all miscellaneous thoughts and sounds. It is in quiet moments like these when we can pray, or even receive the answers to our prayers. If we are in constant motion, these opportunities may be missed.

Courage. It takes courage to sort through every thing that bombards our minds and bodies each day. The real need for courage and discernment is when we are making the decision as to which of these things will help us to further our goals and better ourselves in the long run versus those that are for immediate gratification. Having the courage to say NO to things that will only add stress to our lives is important. For the eagle, courage is not optional; it is part of survival. So it is for us in todays world.

Freedom. The bald eagle is the symbol of the freedoms that we enjoy. But we must remember that along with freedom, comes responsibility. It is ironic that we nearly forced the symbol of our freedom into extinction by abusing our freedom. Although we may be free to develop the lands once called home by the bald eagle, we must also accept the responsibility tasked to us by God to be good stewards of the earth. We must not get lazy and take our freedom for granted. It is a sad truth that we do not fully appreciate what we have until it is gone.

Peace. Many people associate peace with things that can take flight because through these animals, or objects, people can vicariously rise above their daily concerns and problems. Peace is not something that we can buy, or do something specific to achieve. It is a state of mind when a balance within ourselves is achieved with our surroundings. One important aspect of peace is harmonious, supportive relationships with friends and family. It is also important to note that sometimes being peaceful, or maintaining peace, may involve withholding negative thoughts and comments. This concept involves understanding, acknowledging, and using the space between stimulus and response to formulate our responses. Peace can also be found in understanding, and accepting that God is in control.

Focus. Nature does not multi-task the way we are required to in todays busy world. It seems we are so accustomed to multi-tasking that we become bored, or uncomfortable when we actually can focus on doing one thing at a time. This seems a bit backwards in light of the fact that when we spend quality time on something, the end result is often higher. Learning how to properly focus our energy rather than lose energy is important. A lack of focus can be the result of being overwhelmed; however, it is within every one of us to choose what we focus our attention on.

Grace. People with grace can deal with just about any situation without loosing their cool. People who are graceful acknowledge their thoughts, and feelings and move through the situation without becoming upset. Grace is not something often seen in todays crazy world; but it is a quality that could go a long way towards making the world a more peaceful place for everyone.

In his article Eagle Talk, author Lon Lauber notes But do we really listen to what this majestic bird is saying? As human development clashes with nature, its imperative we closely observe bald eagles, for their well-being often reflects the health of the environment.