Taking flight, growing strong

“To be fully alive, fully human, and completely awake is to be continually thrown out of the nest.” ~Pema Chodron

Today’s quote spoke to me in several different ways. First, I thought of all the new college students who’ll soon be starting school — and how leaving the nest for the first time is such a milestone for our kids. The whole process involves facing change and challenges — and learning how to adapt.

But Buddhist author Pema Chodron isn’t just referring to young people living on their own for the first time. She uses “the nest” as a metaphor for our comfort zone. No matter how old or young we are, we can’t grow into fully actualized humans by clinging to what’s safe and familiar to us. Once in a while, we need to be thrown off course to experience richer lives. ~CL

Did you know you can share “Life Lines” posts on social media? Look for social media sharing options located below each post (lower right corner) on the Life Lines home page.

Photo by Cindy La Ferle