Going Out on a Limb

We have everything to gain from letting go of other people's expectations. When challenged to choose truth over approval, you will discover the peace that follows.

You know the phrase, “going out on a limb?” Clearly the bird in the picture has taken that phrase to heart. Rather than find a place to land on a tree, on a fence, on the ground—or any other place really—it decided to go out on a limb. Well technically, that isn’t even true. It skipped the limb and went straight for the stalk of a vertical green onion.

A rather unconventional take.

And one that made me pause as I took the picture (ok, several pictures). Of all the places to land, why choose a vertical green onion shoot? Clearly, it takes more effort to hold on at that angle when gravity has yet to relinquish its hold. If the goal was to get a better view, wouldn’t a location a bit higher up be a better choice?

Cue the internal pause.

Going out on a limb, that oft-used phrase. Its full meaning being when someone does something they believe in, even if it carries risk or the very real chance of failure or may be criticized by others.

Little American Goldfinch, I wish to recall my internal musings questioning your choices.

All of us at some point in our lives make a choice to do something unexpected. Maybe it’s going against the status quo, thinking things through in a different way, or choosing to do something that inexplicably just feels right. Choosing who we are versus who others want us to be.

That last part—choosing who we are versus who others want us to be—is one of the most difficult and yet rewarding things we can ever do. The fear of failure is very real, but the biggest hindrance to freeing ourselves is the cascading waterfall of criticism and disappointment we open ourselves up to.

And yet, how can we be true to ourselves if we live a life that caters to everyone else’s expectations? Being our true self is more important than avoiding disappointment. Two things can be true at once: you can let down people and still be a good person. Others do not have to walk your path; in fact, they cannot.

The ease of people-pleasing is a mask for the drain it causes. It will hollow you out, not save you. If people fade into the background as you live your truth, they were not meant for this chapter. It is, after all, your chapter.

Some will stand by you, new ones will gather. The ones who leave, well…you will find something replaces them, and it is called peace.  

And if you are a bird landing vertically, know that you are inspiring. You rise above the ordinary and invite others to take notice. Your strength against gravity is remarkable, and perhaps a new point of view is something we can all use.

At least, that’s what a little birdie told me.