The Sparrow in the Airport
Waiting for my luggage at the airport, I was startled as a sparrow swooped low before me.
I enjoyed watching the aerobatics of this small miracle as it moved effortlessly above and through the milling crowds. Mostly invisible to those chatting or gazing anxiously at the luggage belt, this little bird appeared to be on purpose. Never still for long, the sparrow carried a speck of human food to the rafters and then was off to the next crumb.
I felt a sense of delight watching this bird until I noticed a sadness arising within me.
I contemplated her life in baggage claim, then imagined how easy it would be for her to bypass the elevator and fly up the escalator. Giving this winged creature free rein throughout the massive airport. Plenty to explore at the food court and glimpse sunlight at the wall of windows at each gate. Yet, I wondered if there were spaces that allowed my little friend easy access to an indoor-outdoor style of living.
Or if she was confined to a prison of artificial lights, stale air, and crumbs from Starbucks.
I wondered if she sang much or missed flying on the air currents to land in a tree which was dancing in rhythm to the breeze. I wondered if she even knew there was more than airport living. If she ever yearned for freedom or thought she was already living free. The sparrow didn’t seem dampened down by her unnatural home, so I let go that sadness.
I realized that any creature, human included, could live free in a prison or live bound in a life of abundant opportunity.
Hearing the luggage belt fire up, I turned to watch the people crowd forward. Captivated as each bag fell to the circling belt. Struggling to grab a suitcase and wrestle it onto solid ground. Their faces ranged from bored to anxious to frustrated.
It looked like the vacation was over and reality had returned.
Since I wasn’t in charge of the luggage, I was free to reflect upon that question for myself.
Ask me what brings meaning to my life and makes me happy, I’d easily tell you what matters and what I love. I imagine you’d be able to do the same. Sometimes it takes some reflection to really hone that list. It’s worth exploring by yourself or in a heart to heart conversation with good friends. A few key questions can help you mine for gold.
What really, truly matters to you in this life? What brings you happiness? How can you live a meaningful life?
That sparrow helped me recognize how easy it is to acclimate to your surroundings and perhaps let the most important things slide in your day to day life. When you don’t explore these questions, it’s easy to live on autopilot. Flying about your day, settling for crumbs.
In time, living an unintentional life shrinks your potential for meaning, growth, and even happiness.
The longer you live in the unnatural world of societal expectations, the more likely you’ll fall asleep to your original dreams, delights, and desires. And perhaps just be glad to make it through the week unscathed. Waiting until that day when you’ve raised the kids, met your career goals, met that person, etc to find contentment. Research reveals there is a difference between living a life of happiness and meaning. Check out the HeartWarming News for a taste of these findings.
The societal map for a successful life often guides people to live like that sparrow: happily flying around in an airport.
Innocently imprisoned in a shiny, artificial environment. Grateful for company, nuggets from Chic-Fil-A, and sunshine through panes of glass. “Not me!” you proclaim. Yet, something within tells you differently. Here’s a way to find out how free or imprisoned you are actually living. Answer those 3 questions and create a short list of the most important answers.
These are your Map Markers that may guide you and alert you to times you have strayed from the Path of Meaning and Happiness.
Once you have that list, take a look at how you are living day to day. Are the items on your list represented in your everyday activities, emotions, intentions, and relationships? Does your daily energy sing in harmony with what’s most important or does it feel heavy, depleted, or flat as you go about your week. Are you bound by obligation, schedules, and activity you’d rather let go of or are you truly free to live what matters most to you.
Look deeply into these questions and conduct an honest appraisal of your life.
Most of you will find a discrepancy between what you say matters most and how you actually live your days. It’s the nature of modern life to get caught in the binding of a life dictated by societal and familial expectations. Tell the truth, make no excuses, and be gentle with yourself as you explore the distance between your dreams and desires and how you lived today.
Take heart for this awareness hands you the key to your unintentional prison.
With intent, you begin to craft a life aligned with your list, bringing fulfillment and happiness (or whatever matters most to you). In time, you recognize the changes within you shift the landscape around you. Gradually bringing your dreaming into alignment with your daily life.
Sparrows are described as small, light birds that easily fit through tight spaces and effortlessly soar to the tops of tall trees.
Revealing their capacity to connect to the higher realms, to fly free and perhaps to easily exit the Philadelphia airport any time they chose.
However they live, I’m grateful for that little teacher who swooped down to invite me to take a long look at how I spend my moments and whether that aligns with what matters most.
Peace be with you and with all. No exceptions.
HeartWarming
News
Stanford researchers have found five key differences between living a life of meaning and happiness. Satisfying personal desires was a reliable source of happiness, but it didn’t contribute to a sense of meaning. A life of meaning is about expressing and defining yourself. Although very meaningful lives encounter lots of struggles and stresses, which can result in unhappiness. Raising kids may bring joy and significant stress leading to meaning and happiness, although unhappiness often comes with this experience. When people retire, stress drops so happiness may increase, but meaningful decreases.
