When a baby bird leaves its nest for the first time, it is not without trepidation. Often its mother must physically push it from the branch in order for it to attempt flight, and even then it may take two or three tries before it gets the hang of using its wings properly to enable it to take off. Nature has provided it the ability, but it still needs to trust its mother, and expend effort to learn the skill.
In 1896, the Wright brothers – two bicycle manufacturers inspired by the abilities of birds, the wonder of the skies, and the work of a few dedicated individuals who had come before them – first endeavored to develop the technology of flight. It was their unwavering determination and drive that spurred them on to innovate and create the first successful powered aircraft in 1903. The capability for flight, which had been aspired to by humans for centuries, came into being because they pushed through the doubt and skepticism and worked diligently to make the dream a reality.
“If we worked on the assumption that what is accepted as true really is true, then there would be little hope for advance.” ~Orville Wright, circa. 1901
Wings need not be made of feathers or steel. Often wings are made of courage – the inspiration to forge ahead into the unknown, even in the face of fear. Frequently wings are made of perseverance – the motivation to keep going, pushing the boundaries of what is possible, even after we seem to have exhausted our options and energy. Sometimes wings are made of faith – the confident belief that there is more than what we know, that if we take the leap, rather than finding ourselves in freefall, we will discover that we can fly.
What are your wings made of?
~ Christiana
