Tuesday, 31 July 2007

Lessons From The Eagle

Ethan, my 5 year old, is doing an oral presentation on the African Fish Eagle tomorrow, so I thought I'd share some amazing lessons that we can learn from these amazing creatures.



Eagles live up to 70 years. At around the 40 year stage the eagle must face a great challenge if it is going to continue to be effective. The challenge is uncomfortable, but if the eagle wants to continue to live, it is also a vital step.

At the 40 mark eagles start to feel the burden of aging. No longer are they in their prime.
Their talons are becoming too long, yielding them unable to pick up their prey.
Their beaks become too bent.
Their wings get too heavy and their feathers become stuck on their chest, making flying difficult.

So the eagle must either change... or die!
The eagle flies up the mountain to its nest. It then proceeds to knock its beak against rocks until it can pluck it out.
The eagle waits for a new beak to grow back.
Once that happens, the eagle then pluck out its talons.
Once these have grown back the eagle then starts to pluck out its old age feathers.

This whole process takes 5 months!
But once it is done, the eagle sets out on its rebirth and lives for another 30 years.

How open am I to change?
Do i only embrace change when it is my idea?

Kaizan is the Japanese word for continual improvement. May we be like the eagle that no matter what the cost, we pursue growth... continual improvement.

Which of your idea's or ways of doing / seeing things needs a plucking?

I look for ward to your ccomments!

3 comments:

Unknown said...

Flip if thats not challenging I don't know what is!

Good times bro, keep bringing the growing word :)

God bless, hope to see you soon

Ilaria said...

It's a cool story, but not true...First, the slide show says that the eagle lives the longest of its species, which is true of every animal (since 'species' is the most specific taxonomic level). Next, the slides show at least three different species of eagles. The philippine eagle has the longest life span, and none of them live to more than 60 years. Lastly, there is no eagle species that must tear off its feathers or talons or beak.

BlueNight said...

Agreed; though inspirational, this story is more myth than fact. I've posted my research on the eagle's restoration on my own blog. Feel free to leave your comments.