Eagles are known to live up to 70 years and are definitely among the few birds blessed with longevity. However, when they reach 40 years old, their claws start to age, losing their effectiveness and making it hard for them to catch prey. Its beak is also too long and curvy, sometimes reaching its chest and losing its usefulness. Its wings, full of long, thickened feathers, are too heavy for flying. The eagle is left with 2 choices:-

(1) do nothing and await its death; or
(2) go through a painful period of transformation and renewal.

Often they choose Option 2. So for some 150 days or so, it will find a secluded, safe place high up in the mountains, cease all normal activities and begins its legendary “self-renewal”. It will knock its beak against granite rocks until completely detached. When a new beak is grown, the eagle will use it to remove all its old claws and await quietly for new ones to be fully grown. When the new claws are fully grown, the eagle will use them to remove all its feathers, one by one, waiting for new feathers to grow.

Five months later, when the eagle is ready with its new beak, claw and  feathers, it will soar to the sky again with renewed strength and pride, and remained so for the next 30 years.

In life, whether as an individual or an organization, we will reach a plateau or stagnate at certain point. We too have to learn to make difficult decisions so as to make room for critical changes, to prepare for a new phase of growth. Changes bring about renewal and growth. And the only way for us to soar again is to let go old ways, old habits, old lives.

Unless we are prepared to ditch our old baggages – emotional, physical, social, financial, whether they be past glory, shame, success or failure – we will never discover our potential and experience a new lease of life – with renewed strengths, vision and commitment.