A little bit of optimism did no-one no harm

When we are surrounded by news that brings in uncertainty, fear, despair and anxiety, it is all the more important for us to be optimistic. Not in the let's-look-at-the-world-through-rose-colored-glasses way, but one which doesn't completely squash a hope for the future. You don't have to shove away your anxieties under the rug but instead consider set-backs as what they are -- merely set-backs. There is a story of an eagle that we often hear and despite its repetition, it has helped me in the various halts I have had along the way. Perhaps it could help you too. An Eagle that can live up to 70 years. However, to reach this age, the eagle has to make some hard decisions. In its 40th year, its long and flexible talons can no longer grab prey. Its long and sharp beak becomes bent as age catches on. The feathers grow old, thick and heavy, making it difficult to fly high in the sky. The eagle is left with only two options: to die or go through a painful process to stay alive for another 30 years. This process requires the eagle to fly to a mountain top and sit on its nest. The eagle knocks its beak against a rock until it plucks it out painfully. The eagle waits for a new beak to grow back and finally, using that, it plucks out its old talons. The new talons grow back, the eagle starts plucking its heavy feathers and soon takes its famous flight of new life and lives on for many more years. The story of the eagle tells us that hardship is a part of life. They can break us, make us believe in despair or they can build us back up. The magic lies in our attitude. If we go through life with hope, gratitude, and optimism for tomorrow, we will find motivation to pull through times of trouble, pain and worry.