Have you ever thought that a defect you saw in yourself was actually by design?
Let me explain.
Different Shaped Feathers
As I walk out in our fields I often find bird feathers. Usually of hawks or blackbirds. I bring them home, wash them and collect them in a vase.
For some time, I have left behind the feathers I thought were defective.
The only feathers I valued were the symmetrical, “perfect” feathers, because I thought the unevenly shaped feathers were faulty or broken.
But I soon realized that I was not seeing broken feathers, but different feathers.
I did some research and discovered that there are many types of feathers with varying shapes and sizes according to their intended purpose.
They weren’t defective at all.
The tail feathers I had associated with the traditional symmetrical fan shape, are used for precision steering during flight.
The feathers I had rejected because of their uneven shape are the wing feathers with a shorter, less flexible leading edge that prevents midair twisting.
Contour feathers are more nearly round and fluffier and act as an airfoil by smoothing over where the flight feathers attach to the bone.
Other feathers are different in size and shape according to their purpose. Some insulate. Others sense the position of other feathers, or protect the bird’s eyes and face.
All different shapes and sizes.
All parts of the same bird.
All needed.
The Lesson
I thought of myself and wondered if I similarly think that some parts of who I am are flaws, when in reality they are part of my design, my individual makeup?
In other words, all parts of ourselves have a purpose.
Have we judged parts of our personalities as faulty when in reality they have a specific purpose in our development?
Do some traits seem imperfect, yet are perfectly designed for our growth?
Thinking about the role of different feathers on a bird taught me that those parts of ourselves, strengths, weaknesses, viewpoints, sensibilities, interests, abilities, that we may judge as lacking actually have a unique role to play in our development.
I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Much love,
Such great insight Melanie. Thanks for sharing and I’ll definitely reflect on some of the things I’ve judged about myself to see where growth can come from them rather than frustration.
We are so hard on ourselves! I have to constantly rein myself back in and check if my thoughts are truly correct or not. You have such a gift of being aware, of self and of others.?
This piece is very thought provoking, Melanie. I like how you discovered that feathers you thought were defective actually served a different purpose. I too have always been my own worst critic. It helps to contemplate on the idea that maybe traits within ourselves that we consider flaws are actually there for a reason that we could discover and use for a wise purpose to help ourselves and others. Thank you for sharing another great insight.
Thank you Cheree! You expressed that so well! I appreciate your insights!?