“If you ask me what I came into this life to do, I will tell you; I came to live out loud.”
– Emile Zola
One of the joys of being fully present as a transformational leader is the feeling of freedom with the gift of presence. When you know who you are, are taking time to reflect and be aware, and then move courageously, you find that you are on an adventure. I have a story from nature that illustrates this.
A Unique Gift of Presence
My daughter loves animals. This past year she had an unusual request on her Christmas list. Most tweens are asking for iPods, clothes, video games and phones. My daughter instead requested ducks. So at Christmas, she received a duck coop and in the spring, six little recently hatched ducklings arrived in the mail. I must say they were cute!
They started out in a tub in our kitchen. They had a special dispenser for their water that allowed them to drink but not get in the water. However, it was amazing how they could flip the water out of the disperser, soaking their bedding in the midst of trying to get wet. They were naturally drawn to water. These were hints of who they are.
The Gift of Presence Teaching Us Who We Are
As they grew, we moved them to the coop and let them outside for defined periods of time. We would set a small tub of water out for them. They loved getting in, ducking their head under the water and then splashing it on their backs. Their downy coat was starting to get covered with feathers, and the water would roll off their feathers, which were perfectly made to be a rain coat. If they were being aware, this was another sign about who they are and what their purpose is.
It was a very wet spring and a puddle of water started to pool in a low area of our yard. When the ducks found the puddle, they thought they found paradise. It was deep enough they could even swim a little. They also found another big surprise. As they pecked in this water, they actually found food by eating plants and insects. Each discovery about themselves was a delight to them!
Hurdles to Receiving our Gift of Presence
They had now grown big enough that we let them just stay out during the day. Their make-shift puddle of water was getting low and muddy. Mud was often caked on their bills, which is not the best for breathing! We would set out a tub of water so they could wash their bills. However, we also have another source of water on our property, a pond. We decided that it was time to introduce them to this new adventure. We were excited to launch them to their greatest calling in life.
We herded them to the edge of the pond with great anticipation of this big gift we were giving them. But, they would not go in! They darted this way and that. They were terrified of the pond. We eventually were able to get them to go in at the edge of the pond, but they would huddle all together frightened. If anything spooked them, they all came tumbling out. Instead, they kept going back to their little mud puddle.
What Are You Settling For?
We can laugh at these ducks that are afraid to swim in a pond. We know that this is what they were made for. We shake our heads at how they settle for a mud puddle instead.
Yet, are we really any different? How often do you settle for something smaller than what you are really called to be? Have you taken time to first discover your purpose? Or, do you know your purpose but are you afraid to take the next step to make it happen? Are you settling for sitting in a mud puddle instead of an adventure on the pond – your true calling?
A Gift of Presence Received and a Purpose Embraced
Well this week, our ducks have finally adventured further out into the pond, and what is amazing is to see the joy and freedom they have. My daughter just this morning described how when she let them out of the coop they ran for the pond. One of them was flapping their wings around in the water in sheer fun. What came to my mind is the picture of joy. I remember them as little ducklings flipping water out of their dispenser for fun. Our ducks finally know who they are, and with awareness and courage, they are living in freedom on a big pond full of food and adventure.
So, who are you? Have you taken time to reflect and be present about who you are? What pictures from your past hint at your strengths and purpose? Are you taking courage to step out into the freedom of your purpose?