How did I get here?

How did I get where I am and how do I get where I want to
be?that is the question?

Most people at some time in their lives look inward and ask
something akin to how did I get here? Sometimes this
question is disguised in other forms like, ?Why do I get so
angry? Or ?Why did I say that? Or why does that bother me?
or ?How did I let myself get so fat? Or ?Why do I smoke??
There are so many whys that etc., etc., etc., as in the
movie ?The King and I? is simply inadequate. In other
words, there is the discovery that our potential self has
not yet been activated. Indeed, all too often the
discovery of who we have become so pales by contrast to our
ambitions, goals and inner calling that it?s easy to find
the entire matter depressing. It is therefore not uncommon
for blame to function as a defense strategy if for no other
reason than to lift the burden of self-disappointment from
one?s shoulders.
It?s easy for anyone to ask the question of anyone, so how
high is up? It is equally easy for even the most
successful to question their individual worth, not in terms
of wealth, but more particularly as a person. So as not to
unnecessarily belabor the point, I?ll leave the matter with
the words of Woodrow Wilson, ?You are not here merely to
make a living. You are here in order to enable the world
to live more amply, with greater vision, with a finer
spirit of hope and achievement. You are here to enrich the
world, and you impoverish yourself if you forget the
errand.?
If like most, you find that in some ways you simply have
not fulfilled your dreams or reached your mark, it is
likely that you too will ask the question, ?How did I get
here?? There is a valuable tutorial story that is worth
repeating before examining the road to self-betrayal,
self-limitation, self-defeat, and most certainly that inner
road that stifles dreams, ambitions and so forth while
encouraging discouragement.

It seems there was a female eagle that fell from her nest
at a very young age. She wandered until happening onto a
chicken yard where an older hen adopted and raised her.
The chickens taught the eagle the way of chickens. She
learned to dig holes and wiggle down into them on hot days
so as to stay cool. She learned to scratch with her talons
and soon became treasured for her ability to scratch deep
into the earth. She learned many things from the chickens
and despite her size became loved by all. She was secure
in her chicken house surrounded by her friends and adopted
mother. Still, she sometimes felt out of place, uneasy in
ways she could not explain, unfilled and un-natural. Her
friends would reassure her. They would let her know things
like other chickens didn?t always lay an abundance of eggs
and not hens made so much noise when they did lay an egg.
She would confide in her closest friends and most would
reassure her that this was life and she would adjust in
time. She needed only to try harder; after all, her
maternal mother had failed her. This was comforting, for
it wasn?t her fault?her maternal mother was to blame.
Unlike Jonathan Livingston Seagull, there were no great
Seagulls to teach her otherwise. So, her potential, the
possibilities in life, went altogether unknown until one
day when a male eagle flying overhead spotted her grubbing
in the chicken yard.

She is such a grand Eagle, he thought, so he began to
descend to speak with her, but one of the chickens caught a
glimpse of his shadow and called to all. The female eagle,
who all called Nina, together with the chickens quickly
scurried to the chicken house where they hid the rest of
the afternoon. The male eagle was confused, but determined.

Days passed before he gained his opportunity. Darting out
of the sky with the sun in his face he cut off Nina?s
retreat almost before any in the yard were aware he was
approaching. All of the chickens hid in the chicken
house?not one dared to venture out to even see what might
be happening to Nina.

Trapped the male eagle, Nina crouched down in fear, almost
paralyzed by her expectation. ?Why are you here,? he
asked. Unable to answer Nina could only tremble and look
down. ?What are you doing here?? he went on. ?I have
never seen an eagle nesting with chickens, though I?ve
heard of them. Have you lost your mind girl??

Nina looked up. She suddenly had an idea?for she was a
smart chicken. ?Did you call me an eagle?? she meekly
enquired.

?Of course, you are one. Have you not looked at yourself?
Have you not felt the urge to stretch your wings and soar?
Have you not felt out of place with these chickens? Do you
think those talons were made to dig in the earth? I have
watched you for days now; you do everything the chickens
do. Why??

Nina now stared in his eyes, they were large and brown.
His pupils were dark black and nearly filled his entire
eye. He looked as though he could see forever. ?You?ve
watched me?? she added.

?Yes girl?I?ve watched you, but I don?t understand. You
are capable of so much. I could tell you stories for days
of adventures and sights that have filled my life?that
should fill yours. You were created with such an unlimited
potential?you simply don?t belong in this yard for a day.
You are a beautiful and capable eagle. Can?t you see that?
Don?t you believe me? Have you spent your entire life
here??

Nina felt stronger now. Something was wrong with this
eagle. He must have some Messianic complex, she thought.
Imagine him telling her she could soar. Nina spoke, ?So
I?m an eagle and I can soar and do things you can show me
that I have never done? Is that right??

?It?s in you girl. Follow your feelings. Be natural.
You?re not a chicken, I promise.?

?So then,? Nina continued, since I?m an eagle, you?re not
going to hurt me.?

?Of course not?what non-sense is that??

?Well then,? Nina confidently added, ?Show me?step aside
so I could leave if I chose to.?

With that, the male eagle stepped back and out of Nina?s
path. She seized the opportunity and made the best of her
plan, running straight for the chicken house. Once inside
she told the chickens how she had out-smarted that dumb old
eagle. They all laughed and rewarded her with their
chicken appreciation, ?Your such a good smart chicken
Nina!? The old rooster chicken even spoke nicely to Nina,
?I?m proud of you Nina?you certainly did outsmart that
eagle.?

By now, the moral to this story is obvious. Most have been
enculturated during maturation to accept and believe
certain things that may, and likely do, betray their real
potential. Like chickens in the chicken yard, we have all
been imprinted. Behavioral scientists use this term to
refer to the process where by animals seek to be accepted
by imitating their peers. A duckling raised in a chicken
yard will behave like a chicken, and so forth. The first
tutorial advantage this story provides gives rise to this
question: how many chicken beliefs limit you now?

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Eldon Taylor, Ph.D. is the author of over 200 books and
tapes. He is the director of Progressive Awareness
Research. Visit http://www.innertalk.com