If you set the right boundaries and effectively fight for your dreams, you will likely end up victorious.
Birds of A Feather:
In a previous blog post, I mentioned how sinsontes or mockingbirds often visit my backyard. This year, a pair of mockingbirds became quite loud whenever I walked into a specific area of my yard. I soon discovered that these birds had chosen to build their nest in a lemon tree at the far end of my yard, and their chick had fallen out of the nest. What initially appeared to be "aggressive behavior" on their part turned out to be their way of parenting in the animal world.
Given the presence of various predatory animals in my yard, I doubted the chick's survival on the ground, such as raccoons, opossums, cats, and hawks. Despite these challenges, the parents diligently cared for and protected their chick. Raising a mockingbird chick is no small feat; it takes about 12 days for them to transition from nestlings to juveniles, and they are extremely vulnerable to predators during this time.
A week passed, and to my surprise, the chick continued to thrive on the ground below! I couldn't believe it. The parents remained vigilant, defending and feeding their chick throughout the day. The situation went from seeming impossible to possible.
I had to leave for a few days, and I found myself hoping and praying for the chick's survival. When I returned, I was happy to see the young bird taking its first flight. The parents could have easily given up on their chick, considering the risks. After all, the chick had been vulnerable on the ground for over a week. However, the parents never gave up, and their chick grew up and learned to fly.
This situation reminded me of what humans tend to do with our dreams. We tend to drop our dreams at the first sign of trouble. It's too hard, I can't, there's no way I'll ever get it...the list goes on.
This experience reminded me of how humans often handle their dreams. We tend to abandon our dreams at the first sign of difficulty, thinking they're too challenging or impossible to achieve. We fall prey to limiting beliefs, which effectively kill our dreams.
Consider the people who win the lottery and end up unhappy and broke despite their newfound wealth. How often have we heard someone say, "When I make a million dollars, I'll be able to do _____!" These lottery winners often weren't ready to handle the responsibilities that came with their dreams.
We will be ready to make our dreams a reality when we are courageous enough to protect our dreams from many forms of doubt that arise. This is the great lesson I learned from my feathered friends.
Keeping Dreams Alive
Cultivate Self-Confidence: One of the key ways to protect your dreams from self-doubt is by actively boosting your self-confidence. Embrace your strengths and accomplishments, and remind yourself of your capabilities whenever doubts arise.
Set Realistic Goals: Break your larger dreams into smaller, more achievable goals. This step-by-step approach allows you to build confidence with each successful milestone, reducing doubt about your ability to reach your ultimate dream.
Seek Positive Reinforcement: Surround yourself with supportive and positive individuals who believe in your dreams. Their encouragement and constructive feedback can help counteract self-doubt and reinforce your determination.
Practice Self-Compassion: Understand that setbacks and doubts are a natural part of pursuing dreams. Treat yourself with kindness and forgiveness when you face challenges or make mistakes. Embracing a mindset of self-compassion can help shield your dreams from the destructive effects of self-doubt.
Here is your opportunity to nurture your soul-aligned dream. Give your dreams the fuel and protection they need until they are strong enough to take flight!
Amor y Canela,
Monica
