The Way of an Eagle

Tonight was my cousin, Ben's, eagle court of honor. I don't know what it is about Ben, but I will always think of him as a blonde little toddler. Now he's like 6'2", an athlete, and an Eagle scout. Crazy!


At the court of honor, I was reminded why the eagle is such an awesome symbol of strength and leadership. I found this article that teaches the following....

Lesson One – Eye on the prey

Eagles have strong and sharp vision. They can focus on something up to five kilometers away. When an eagle spots his prey, he narrows his focus on it and sets out to get it. No matter the obstacle, the eagle will not move his focus from the prey until he grabs it. The eagle will go for the prey in a “shock and awe” swoop. The key lesson here is that identify your vision and goals. Stick to your vision no matter what obstacles stand in your way.

Lesson Two – Love the storm

What do you do when clouds gather and storms come? Run for cover? Not with the eagle. Eagles love the storm. When clouds gather, the eagles get excited. The eagle uses the storm's winds to lift it higher. Once it finds the wing of the storm, the eagle uses the raging storm to lift him above the clouds. This gives the eagle an opportunity to glide and rest its wings. In the meantime all the other birds hide in the leaves and branches of the trees. When life gives you clouds, make some rain and gives you a storm, ride on it! There is an opportunity in every opposition. There is a testimony in every test. The darkest clouds yield the greatest rain. Your breaking point is your breakthrough moment. When life gives you lemons, make some lemonade.

Lesson Three – High flyer

Eagles fly alone at high altitude and not with sparrows or ravens. No other bird can go to the height of the eagle. They are in a league of their own, and know the real joys of flying. The lesson here is that break away from the crowd. Even Moses, the lawgiver had to leave the crowd at the foothills while he went to communicate with Yahweh on the mountain top. The crowd is occupied with conversations about dictators, gossip, bar talk, inflation, run off or is it runway? Be part of bigger conversations like “How can we make a dent in the universe?” If you remain amongst the crowd, you will achieve success that is common to common man. For uncommon success, go for altitude!

Lesson Four – New opportunities

Eagles do not eat dead things or carcasses like vultures. They feed only on fresh prey. Why go for the past when there is a better future beckoning? Always be on the lookout for new opportunities. There is no use crying over that failed business or relationship. You can start all over again. Only scavengers go and look for dead prey in occupied territory. Entrepreneurs create new hunting territories.

Lesson Five – Be choosy

The Eagle tests before it trusts. When a female eagle meets a male and they want to mate, she flies down to earth with the male pursuing her and she picks a twig. She flies back into the air with the male pursuing her. Once she has reached a height high enough for her, she lets the twig fall to the ground and watches it as it falls. The male chases after the twig. The faster it falls, the faster he chases it. He has to catch it before it falls to the ground.

He then brings it back to the female eagle. The female eagle grabs the twig and flies to a higher altitude and then drops the twig for the male to chase. This goes on for hours, with the height increasing until the female eagle is assured that the male eagle has mastered the art of catching the twig which shows commitment. Then and only then, will she allow him to mate with her. Test before you trust. Partnerships can make or break you. Just be sure, you are hitched to the right partner whether in business or any venture.

Lesson Six – Renew yourself

When an eagle is oppressed with old age, his bill grows so much that he cannot open his mouth in order to take meat. He then smites his beak against a stone, and breaks off the growth that prevented him from eating; and then he goes to his ordinary food, and becomes young again. When an Eagle grows old, his feathers become weak and cannot take him as fast as he should. When he feels weak and about to die, he retires to a place far away in the rocks. While there, he plucks out every feather on his body until he is completely bare. He stays in this hiding place until he has grown new feathers and with them renews his youth, and then he can come out with new vigour. It is important to constantly renew yourself by shedding off those bad habits, and getting yourself out of the rut.


I was so glad Ben asked me to play the piano at his court of honor. It forced me to dust off my Christmas piano books and tickle the keys a bit today. Beautiful white and black keys, oh how I've missed you. There is something so peaceful and rejuvenating about playing the piano, and Christmas music is my favorite. Love it!