“Be like the bird that, pausing in her flight awhile on boughs too slight, feels them give way beneath her, and yet sings, knowing she hath wings.”
Even when the branch you're standing on starts to break, remember — you have wings. You've caught yourself before, and you'll do it again. Keep singing through it.
Have you ever felt like the ground beneath your feet was suddenly much less steady than you thought? Victor Hugo’s beautiful words remind us that life isn't about the strength of the branch we land on, but the strength of the wings we carry within ourselves. Sometimes, we find ourselves in situations that feel fragile or inadequate, much like that tiny, swaying bough. It is so easy to let fear take over when we feel unsupported, but there is a profound magic in realizing that our true stability comes from our own resilience and the ability to rise again.
In our everyday lives, these thin branches appear in so many forms. It might be a sudden change in your career, a relationship that feels a bit shaky, or even just a day where your confidence feels a little bruised. We often spend so much energy trying to find the thickest, sturdiest branches to cling to, thinking that if we can just find the perfect circumstances, we will finally be safe. But the beauty of the bird's song is that it doesn't depend on the branch staying still; it depends on the bird's inherent ability to fly.
I remember a time when I felt quite much like that little bird. I was working on a project that felt incredibly overwhelming, and every time I thought I had found my footing, a new challenge would make the situation feel like it was buckling under my weight. I felt like I was constantly on the verge of falling. But as I sat with my thoughts, I realized that even when the situation felt unstable, I still had my skills, my passion, and my determination. I realized that even if the branch broke, I wouldn't fall to the earth; I would simply take flight again.
When you face moments of instability, try not to focus solely on the swaying branch. Instead, take a moment to acknowledge your own wings. Reflect on the hard times you have already navigated and the strength you have cultivated through every storm you have weathered. You are much more capable than the circumstances surrounding you might suggest.
Today, I want to encourage you to take a deep breath and trust in your own capacity to soar. When things feel uncertain, try to find your song. What is one small way you can celebrate your own resilience today?