The Egg

“Every crack is also an opening. When in the midst of great change, it is helpful to remember how a chick is born. From the view of the chick, it is a terrifying struggle. Confined and curled in a dark shell, half-formed, the chick eats all its food and stretches to the contours of its shell. It begins to feel hungry and cramped. Eventually, the chick begins to starve and feels suffocated by the ever-shrinking space of its world. Finally, its own growth begins to crack the shell, and the world as the chick knows it is coming to an end. Its sky is falling. As the chick wriggles through the cracks, it begins to eat its shell. In that moment—growing but fragile, starving and cramped, its world breaking—the chick must feel like it is dying. Yet once everything it has relied on falls away, the chick is born. It doesn’t die, but falls into the world.”
― Mark Nepo, The Book of Awakening

This quote is huge, and this book is quite a collection if you are looking for a bit of inspiration or just a different viewpoint that might provide some clarity in your life. The one thing we can be sure of in our lives is that there will be challenges. You can look at these in a multitude of ways, but objectivity (the state or quality of being true even outside of a subject’s individual biases) when you are talking about your life is very challenging since you are the subject. Subjectivity is the polar opposite (a subject’s personal perspective, feelings, beliefs, desires or discovery.) Stepping outside of your own thoughts, and viewing your situation from a 10,000 foot view can be very beneficial.

If that thing in your life, that sore that you see, was the exact path to your glory, would you look at it differently? I would. I, for sure, would. Step outside of subjectivity, and embrace a little objectivity. There are many quotes and books about this subject. What I mean is the “your pain is your freedom” type of thing. “The Obstacle is the Way” is a popular book referencing this phenomenon, as well.

We are here to progress. We are here to grow. We are here to evolve. We must. Being fluid amongst changes is life is highly beneficial. On the contrary, trying to remain rigid in your ways will lead to disconnect. Inherent in evolution is a natural objectivity to circumstance. But, we are full of subjectivity. So, how does this work? Evolution is about adaptation to constantly changing inputs and to remain consistent in our ability to provide output. The great thing about our bodies is they are made to adapt to changes. Sometimes we have to help our mind keep up. It’s easy to sit back and rest on our past experiences and close our minds off to learning and growth. But, let me tell you this doesn’t go anywhere.

If you can just see things a tad differently, exponential glory is right at your doorstep. If the challenges in this life are viewed as opportunities for complete domination, it becomes a game. This ominous struggle becomes quite navigable. Accept that who you are and where you are as where you should be. Now, find some problems and go solve them. Do one a week, or two a week. It won’t be long until you feel some momentum. Then, as Nepo says, “once everything you have relied on falls away” you will realize that you are now living. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself in a new place, with some new challenges ( and a new shell to crack your way out of).

 

Danny Lesslie

@dannylesslie