The Power of Association: How an Eagle Growing Up with Chickens Taught Me About Community

Once upon a time, in a little farmyard nestled between rolling hills, there was a peculiar chick named Edgar. Edgar wasn’t your ordinary chicken. From the moment he hatched, it was clear he wasn’t like the others. He had a certain… *elevated* presence. A certain *flair*. But despite his magnificent feathers and piercing eyes, Edgar had one big problem. He grew up surrounded by chickens.

Now, if you've ever been around chickens, you’ll know they aren’t exactly the most ambitious creatures. They cluck, they scratch, they peck around for worms, and they generally spend most of their time avoiding anything that might resemble an exciting adventure. So, Edgar spent his early days watching them, and for a while, he thought that was all there was to life. "Why would anyone need to fly? It’s all about pecking and clucking, right?" he thought, as he waddled around with his chicken pals.

But Edgar always felt like he was different. For one, his neck was a little longer, and he always had this urge to *look up*. One day, after a particularly boring morning of watching chickens gossip about corn kernels, Edgar caught a glimpse of something that took his breath away—a magnificent bird soaring high above the clouds. It was an eagle. And suddenly, Edgar realized he had been living a lie.

Here he was, an eagle, raised in a community of chickens.

It’s funny how powerful association can be. Edgar had grown up surrounded by chickens, so naturally, he acted like one. But he was an eagle at heart, and one day, he had to face the truth. He wasn’t destined for the clucky, low-to-the-ground world of the farmyard. He wasn’t supposed to spend his days dodging the farmer’s boot. No, he was meant for greater heights.

The Moment of Truth: Taking Flight

One crisp morning, as Edgar was strolling along, thinking about how good his morning worm hunt had been, a gust of wind blew through the yard. And in that moment, Edgar felt something inside him stir—a force, a desire. The eagle’s wings within him fluttered. It was time.

Without a second thought, Edgar took off—right in front of his chicken friends, who were so engrossed in their pecking they didn’t even notice. Edgar flapped his wings with all his might, rising higher and higher. He was flying. For real. He was an eagle, after all!

As he soared into the sky, he could see the farm below, the tiny chickens scurrying around, oblivious to the fact that Edgar had become something far greater than they ever imagined.

The Lesson in Community and Association

Here’s the thing: Edgar's story isn’t just a funny tale about a bird breaking free from his chicken coop. It’s a powerful metaphor about the influence of the communities we grow up in and how they shape our beliefs, behaviors, and, ultimately, our potential.

You see, Edgar spent so much time hanging out with chickens, he didn't realize he had the power to soar like an eagle. It was only when he *stepped outside of that influence* and took the risk to break away that he realized his true potential.

It’s easy to get stuck in our own “chicken coops,” surrounded by people or environments that shape us to think small or settle for less. Sometimes, our friends, families, or workplaces—even the media—create a comfort zone where we end up thinking that’s the only way life is supposed to be. But just like Edgar, when we step outside of those circles, when we start to surround ourselves with people or communities who encourage us to rise higher, that’s when we truly discover what we’re capable of.

The Power of Positive Associations

The community you choose to be part of matters. It’s like the old saying goes: “You’re the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” If you’re hanging out with chickens who are constantly scratching the dirt and clucking about the same things, chances are, you might start thinking that’s all life has to offer.

But what if you surrounded yourself with a community of *eagles*? People who inspire you, challenge you, and help you reach new heights. People who remind you that you don’t have to stay on the ground forever.

It’s not about abandoning the people who’ve been there for you—it’s about adding new influences that help you grow. Find a community that encourages you to stretch your wings, whether it’s in your career, your creative endeavors, or your personal growth. Seek out the *eagles* who can help you soar.

And So, Edgar Soared... and So Can You!

So, the next time you’re feeling a little clucky, a little stuck in your own farmyard of doubt, remember Edgar. He may have started as a chicken, but he was always meant to fly. And just like him, you’ve got wings too. It’s all about the power of association. Surround yourself with the right community, and you might just surprise yourself by how high you can soar.

After all, you weren’t born to be a chicken. You’re an eagle at heart.