Stop clinging to that tree branch and soar high up

A king received two magnificent peregrine falcons as a gift from one of his States. They were the most beautiful birds he had ever seen. Though the falcons were still quite young at the time, they were beautiful specimens groomed for keeping in his court specifically. The king called the head falconer and handed the two beautiful birds to be trained.

The falconer trained the birds for months. One day the falconer informed the king that one of the falcons was flying and soaring high in the sky while the other had not moved from its branch since the day it had arrived.

“I’ve never come across a bird as stubborn as this before,” the trainer complained to the King. He went on to describe how the creature ignored, refused and stubbornly lashed out at his every attempt. “Maybe there is something wrong with this bird. It just won’t fly.” said the trainer.

The falconer was one of the best in the land, his talents widely lauded by all who knew him. So, the king decided to give the trainer some more time to make the bird fly. Months passed but the falcon never moved from the branch.

The king summoned all healers, sorcerers and other trainers from all the land to make the falcon fly. But none of them succeeded and the bird did not move from its perch.

One day a farmer was passing by the palace and heard about the stubborn falcon who wouldn’t fly. He thought of giving a try to make the bird fly. Having tried everything else, the king was desperate to make the bird fly, so he allowed the farmer to attempt to make the bird fly.

The next morning, the king was thrilled to see the two magnificent birds soaring high in the sky from his balcony. The king did not witness the feat himself, so he had the farmer brought before him to answer to his questions.

“I would like to know your secret,” the king said. “Tell me, how did you achieve what the most highly trained, intuitive and wise men could not? How did you make the falcon fly?”

The farmer peered up from beneath his brow. “It was actually quite simple, your Highness. I just cut the branch on which the bird was perched.”

Don’t cling to a mistake just because you spent a lot of time making it: Be mature to admit a mistake, smart to learn from it and strong to correct it.

When you have a purpose, you’ve got to grab it and never let go: People with purpose, goals and vision have no time for drama. They invest their energy in creating and focus on living a positive life.

Stop worrying about the wrong things to let the right things happen: You limit your life when you live in fear. When you become fearless, life becomes limitless.

Good judgement comes from experience, that comes from bad judgement: Mistakes increase your experience and experience decreases your chances of mistakes. If you are determined to learn, no one can stop you from growing.

Take risk or lose the chance: Life is all about doing things that you believe in. Get out of your comfort zone and take the risk and you will never repent.

Mr Bharatam is the Founder & Chief Mentor of Kuza Biashara Limited, a capacity-building organisation coaching youth & SME owners across Africa. He can be reached @Sbharatam or [email protected]