Are You Chicken?

How much in life do we miss because we are afraid to try or to take that one step?

The chickens I am raising now are the wildest flock I’ve ever had. Whenever anyone or anything moves, they completely lose it. When I enter the chicken coop they begin squawking wildly and flapping their wings, then they run out the door into their yard. I am not sure what provokes them; I’ve never done anything to harm or scare them. I’ve decided that I am going to train them so they know that I mean them no harm and realize it’s my hand that feeds them. So, I’ve quit filling their feeders all the way and I only give them food when I’m there. I’m not willing to spend all day watching them eat, so if they haven’t come to the feeder and eaten within about 10 minutes I leave and they have to wait until the next morning to eat. Four of them have warmed up to the idea. I even have one that eats out of my hand. The other two peek in the door, then slowly inch over to the feeder; they may take a peck or two, but if I speak or move they run out the door as if there was a fire. They are literally starving themselves because of fear.

How often are we just like my chickens? What great adventure are we missing because we’re running, fearful? Are we too scared to try things that might stretch us? I think, too often, we are so afraid that things might be dangerous that we starve ourselves of nourishment, of the opportunities we’re offered to grow. It’s as if there’s some looming monster that will attack us if we ever venture over to have a taste of what life could be like if we did the things we truly love.

Too often we wonder: What will so-and-so think? But if we spend our lives analyzing what everyone else is going to think about us, we’ll be tossed from one idea to the other like that little ball in the pinball machine. People may think mean things, they may make snide remarks about our choices, but then they’ll go home and live their lives, and, if we let their opinions control us, we’ll be stuck afraid to live ours. True friends are the ones encouraging us to live our dreams.

The children’s movie Frozen really illustrates this well. When Elsa accidently injures her sister with her ice powers, their parents take Anna to the Troll King to be healed. He heals Anna and erases her memory of Elsa’s powers. He also tells them that this power is not bad unless it is used in fear. But Elsa becomes so concerned about what other people think of her and so scared she might hurt someone that she isolates herself and lives terrified and alone. When she finally does “Let it Go,” it’s in a destructive manner. How might this story have ended differently if throughout her life she’d had people telling her that her power was a gift, one that should be shared?

Sometime when you’re alone, take a few minutes and imagine that nothing is impossible, that you can be and do whatever you want. Imagine that you have no fear of pursuing your dreams. What would those dreams be? Ask yourself these questions:
• What bring me joy?
• What makes me happy?
• What am I passionate about?
• What are my gifts?
• What is my bliss?
• Who do I really want to be?
• What do I want to have in my life?

I love the rocking chair test; think about being elderly, sitting in your rocking chair and reminiscing about your life. Will you be saying “I wish I had….” about your dreams?

Write about these things. Visualize them. Think about what scares you about them; then “Let It Go.” Look your fears straight in the eyes and go out boldly to accomplish your dreams! There is so much joy in life when you begin living in the way that you choose. I have a mantra that I say every day: “I am thinking, feeling, and loving expressing my vision for my divine future in a timely manner.” It works!

My dream for you is that you will live your dreams, that you will let go of those fears and quit worrying about what anyone else thinks. Whenever fear is trying to stop you, think of those silly chickens squawking and running out the door when offered the food they need to live. Feed your soul; feed your dreams!

What other people think of me is none of my business!