Roots and Wings
by Sandy Fowler
"There are two lasting bequests we can give our children: One is roots. The other is wings." Hodding Carter, Jr.
This is a beautiful sentiment that captures the bittersweet feelings of parenting so well. I've always loved it, but when I read it today I had entirely different thoughts about it.
A couple days ago I was answering questions on an interview and one of the audience members asked if they had what it takes to change their life. I talked to him about the two questions you need to ask yourself to know if you're ready for change. Reading this quote this morning dovetailed right into that and I realized that roots and wings are foundational in changing our lives.
We have to have roots. We have to know ourselves, our core values, our basic beliefs, our inner most desires. These are our roots. This is the part of us that never changes.
We must also give our selves wings. Wings are our ideas and dreams. Wings will let us soar, creating beautiful amazing things.
When people are unhappy with their lives I often find one of two things happening.
1. They aren't rooted in good solid ground. They haven't really recognized those core pieces of themselves, so they keep getting caught up in other people’s thoughts and what other people think is best for them. Only you can decide what is best for you. Only you know what you were born to be. Trust yourself.
2. They clip their own wings. They know themselves well, and they know what they want to do, deep down in their gut. But they won't let themselves follow their heart. They let the trappings of life get in the way. They won't allow their imagination to run wild, to imagine all the possibilities.
I understand these things because I've been there. For years I was generally happy with my life and yet I was always trying to do something else. I volunteered for this and dabbled in that, all in an effort to be really, truly happy.
Finally, when I let myself go and let my imagination soar, I started to find the path to my ideal life. First I let myself dare to believe I could start my own business, even though I didn’t know the first thing about accounting, sales or inventory. Then, when I tried one and didn’t like it, I gave myself permission to believe something else could be better.
I continued this path until I found the business that lights me up, the thing that completes my life. But I only feel that way because I continue to have roots and wings. My core values, my family and my beliefs ground me. I stay true to those things. At the same time I let myself have wings. I imagine incredible possibilities and don’t let anything get ruled out.
When you stay true to yourself and let yourself soar, you can create the most amazing, incredible, joyful life imaginable. I wish this for you, that you have roots and wings.
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Sandy Fowler
- Wife
- Mom
- Entrepreneur
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