A Bird's Eye View

Living a free life comes down to understanding one concept — power and control. All of humanity is currently facing this challenge. We believe ourselves to be free, but we have no idea that most of us are not in charge. We are controlled by powers we don’t understand, and in that instinctive need to free ourselves, we can actually become part of the problem.

True power over our lives means giving up control as we know it. It means living instinctively, guided and supported by the part of us that is pure wisdom. Think about what it means to be a hawk. I love watching them with their enormous outstretched wings, floating gracefully on the air. They are exerting no effort as they catch the wind, yet they have a true bird’s eye view of their surroundings. Hawks don’t control the breeze, or flap their wings and try to create wind of their own. They know that in surrendering to a higher power, they strengthen themselves. Trying to force the air currents only weakens them.

Most of us spend our days trying to manipulate those around us, and our situations. It’s human nature. We believe that if things go the way we want them to, and people act the way we feel they should, life will be better. But this type of control is an illusion, and is based on the fear that if we don’t call the shots, we’ll be powerless. In reality, coming from fear and the need to influence another person’s behavior is a negative manifestation of control, and therefore creates a life where we are controlled as well. We actually lose power, and in doing so, we lose relationships, money and the joy in life.

This is a universe of free will. In judging how others act, we restrict ourselves. “Judge not, lest ye be judged” are some of the most important words ever spoken. Yet this simple piece of wisdom from a divine master is the most misunderstood and ignored phrase in humanity. We continue to judge those who do not meet our expectations or agree with our ideals for life.

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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
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Danielle H.

8:53AM PDT on May 3, 2011

THANK YOU

send a green star

Dorota L.

12:39PM PDT on Aug 9, 2010

Amen, Susan.

I hope I can remember this "It is only through yielding to wisdom and compassion that we gain true power, and soar to our highest potential." in difficult moments.

Thank you!

androniki k.

3:30PM PDT on Jul 20, 2010

nice one..thanx...

Beng Kiat L.

9:17PM PDT on Jul 4, 2010

Thanks

3:51PM PDT on Jun 28, 2010

AWESOME!

Philippa P.

11:20PM PDT on Jun 27, 2010

Great article. Thanks.

mr C.

1:44AM PDT on Jun 22, 2010

good one, thanks!

Robert S.

1:23PM PDT on Jun 21, 2010

There's an old Bible saying, "He who exaults himself is humbled, and he who humbles himself is exalted." that could go with this essay. It might sound like a very old cliche, but that's only because it just keeps happening!

Borg D.

12:32PM PDT on Jun 21, 2010

I would love to be a bird, just for the View
Thanks for posting

Claudia E.

12:06PM PDT on Jun 21, 2010

Thanks for sharing.