Mom and the egg

When I was little my mother showed me something that to this day is still hard for me to believe. I don't remember why she did this but as a little kid I thought it was fascinating. She went into the kitchen and pulled an egg out of the refrigerator. She held the egg in her fist and squeezed as hard as she could. I thought she was nuts. But to my amazement the egg never cracked. She let me try and I got the same results. I just tried it again before I started writing this just to see if after growing up and being stronger now than when I was a kid and guess what? It did not crack. How can something be so fragile yet be so strong?

The other day I was sitting on my back porch overlooking the pond and watching all the geese and ducks play. For about a month there was a mamma goose sitting on her nest. Poor thing. Just sitting there in the hot sun doing what she does best. The pappa goose was floating near by doing his best to protect her from snakes and other dangers that might be lurking. It was all worth it since now they have 3 little chicks running around and learning to swim and having a great time with the whole world as their playground.

They appeared happy. Content with this new world they now have to be in. I wondered if they thought to themselves how much better it is out here then in those shells where things were great too. They had all the food they needed. Shelter. Momma and poppa always near by watching over them. Sounds good right? Well, maybe, but look at how happy they are now.

My mind drew to the egg test my mom did all those years ago. Those chicks lived in a strong home to protect them but when they wanted to come out they found a way to crack that hard shell so they could be free. There was a way out, they just had to work hard, from the inside. The result was obvious. Freedom and the whole world at their feet.

What a great lesson. What is your egg? Do you live in a shell only wishing you could break free? Do you want the whole world at your feet but can't get past the Goliath in your life? I know it is possible, but just like the chicks you have to make the effort from the inside first. That is where the biggest change must come from. It will be hard work believe me, I know. But when you step out into this world and you feel the ground on your feet you will know that it was all worth it. So when you break free stand tall. Let the wind blow on you. Spread your arms out wide. Take a deep breath and with the courage you've discovered within you, move on...and never look back.