Birds of a Feather

I believe we are all born with wings. But it seems as we grow up, we forget how to use them. And so we tuck them away, often to nearly invisible as we navigate the day to day from the earth, our feet leading us step by step along our path. But, there comes a time in our life, when we heed the whispers of our souls, follow our hearts desires, live our lives guided by our passion, our creativity, our courage when we feel our wings begin to unfurl, no longer able to remain hidden, denied.

We look around and begin to notice we are not alone. There are others among us whose feathers are revealing themselves as well. We can’t help but recognize one another. Ah ha, my sister. I see you. And then without effort, almost unknowingly, not unlike an instinct, we flock together. We feel it in our bones; the unspoken security and safety in numbers.

Our wings become visible, useful, necessary as we need more than our legs to carry us. Our wings enable us to reach the highest highs of our potential, to glide on the wind that has been given to us, to come in and land steady and sure on our two feet, touching down on the earth, keeping us grounded. But only as long as we need it and then, it’s back up again in effortless soaring. Together we fly up and down, in and out, weaving our beauty through the sky in an intricate quilt of love. Of goodness. Of sisterhood.

 Share your thoughts on soaring. When all things are possible, what do you see? Have you captured images from your bird’s eye view?

 

 The amazing Kelly Rae Roberts has offered a copy of her latest book of pure inspiration Taking Flight as our giveaway today. Leave your comment her to be included.

 Congrats to Shalet of Peculiar Momma. She is the winner of lovely Friends association bracelet.

Comments

[Jody]

wow I can't believe I'm first here! Is everyone sleeping? lol.
I have felt my wings spread in a new way this year. Since I've taken up my new Artform of photography I feel in some ways I've flown higher than I ever have before. I look at things from a totally differant perspective now. I feel the inspiration from all of you here. You are what makes Shutter Sisters the wonderful thing it is.
Here are a few of my "views" from my mountaintop.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jodyangel/3105045939/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jodyangel/3094146716/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jodyangel/3068412566/

[Wendy]

beautiful post. i too have flown high this year. i've witness the flocking. it's true. unfortunatley there are those who won't like it that you are using your wings and will try to get you to tuck them back in. just ignore them.

[Monica]

This has definitely been my year to not only realize I have wings but flutter them a bit and my heart soars.

[Marcie]

What a beautiful post. I think this image says it all:
http://www.marciescudderphotography.com/index.php?showimage=623
A tribute to Jonathan Livingston Seagull.

[Lily]

I started to fly this year. Still not alltimes using the best winds and sometimes looking silly - but I fly and nobody can stop me. You see so much more and have so much more fun when you start to fly. People only say "Do not start - it is dangerous", because they themselve are in too much fear to go up toward heaven...

[renee @ FIMBY]

oh my. I have started to fly creatively and it's a scary but exciting view from up here. I don't have many local gals to flock with so I love coming here and soaring together.

not an bird's eye view (more of a small rodent view) but this is how I feel these days - sunlit and reaching~up.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/28442274@N07/2997024569/

[Julie]

I agree with you. We all forget about our wings. I can feel mine itching to unfurl as I read your blog entry today. Thanks for reminding me my soul was meant to soar. One of the reasons I love the move The Titanic so much is for just that reason. Our souls were meant to soar. Meant to follow a wild and wonderful God! Meant to trust and not worry. Meant to sleep and not fret. Meant to follow a God who loves us more than we can ever imagine.
julie
www.homeschoolblogger.com/juliestew

[Sarah]

I have not been soaring as of late. I have had the thoughts flit across my brain--"this would be beautiful," "why don't you try that?"--but the busyness or distractions that follow have kept me from chasing those bursts of inspiration. My hope is that this coming year will be one where I will not worry so much about the possibility of failure, but to use that failure to learn. I hope to take off from the high cliff, not concerned about dips in my flight pattern, but recognizing that I will never soar, never see amazing sights, never feel that adrenaline rush of height, if I don't make that initial jump.

[Mami Dearest]

I sometimes wonder if my wings are broken. I have all these ideas and want to be creative, but for some reason, it never happens. Maybe this book can be the inspiration I need to fix my wings and FLY!

[shelagh]

We all have wings, sometimes they just need a little help unfurling:)
Cheers, Shelagh

[camerashymomma]

i think i always knew i had wings. i could feel them, but for some reason they just werent' strong enough to fly me on my own. strength in numbers. it heals me, teaches me, gives me the courage to keep on trying. and then i realize i can.

so, this is the sisterhood. this is the flock. all of us together, huddled, waiting for lift off:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/camerashymomma/3105514623/

[kosenrufu mama]

i like her work!!!!!

http://esterdaphne.blogspot.com/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/23206424@N07/3119500631/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/23206424@N07/3110522762/

[heather]

A beautiful post. I most definitely need my soul sisters to help me soar, and that we take turns doing that for each other, is an incredible thing. I have had my wings tucked in tightly this year, but next year I want to just take that deep breath and take flight as habit, not just an occasional treat.

[Christy]

Beautiful musing- I tend to take things a bit more light hearted at times as evidenced by the video clip on my blog.

http://yankeeinontario.blogspot.com/2008/11/funny-for-you.html

[chris]

Great post today - and lovely book giveaway!

[Star]

Looking for my own set of wings...

[Marcene]

I think I get stuck in ruts a lot! This would be great to boost my creativity.
Here is one of Sean where he might be contemplating flight!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/21008348@N03/2965345341/

[Karyn]

I cannot adequately express how much that post speaks to me. The feeling that as I start this thing 'for reals', someone... is behind me with, at least, a giant turbo fan going "go! go that way!".

I can just post pics:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kayak57/3119814613/

[devan]

love this book.

[Erin]

Beautiful post! I am starting to learn how to spread my wings and reach new heights.

[krista]

....starting to feel them
....afraid to use them as all that flapping is going to beat down those closest to me
.....trying to take flight without hurting those who are use to (and cound on) me being on the ground.
....i believe its worth it
and so much fun with the sisterhood to help.
check out this video found by my dear friend katie.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_4qwVLqt9Q

and btw....I HAVE to have that book. just sayin'

[Mary]

what a lovely post...it's time to show my wings.

[Bonnie]

I've been admiring her artwork.

Bonnie

[spread your wings]

this has been a year of changes for us - my daughter and me - as we experience new freedoms - hoping to fly and reach new heights in our own worlds but remembering that we have the nest for comfort

http://spreadingwings08.blogspot.com/2008/12/far-from-home-left-nest.html

[Irene Lenihan]

I've been using my photographs to inspire my jewelry for a long time but this year I have let myself think more out of the box in my creations and my photos. And I am really enjoying it.

[Kelly]

My husband let me fly last weekend on a walk through downtown. I found myself releasing my idea of photography and *seeing.* The results took my breath away.

http://livingbygrace.blogspot.com/2008/12/christmas-on-king-street-stolen-moments.html
http://livingbygrace.blogspot.com/2008/12/christmas-on-king-street-sparkle-and.html
http://livingbygrace.blogspot.com/2008/12/christmas-on-king-street-secret-garden.html
http://livingbygrace.blogspot.com/2008/12/christmas-on-king-street-observations.html
http://livingbygrace.blogspot.com/2008/12/christmas-on-king-street-window.html

It's a lot, I know - I just can't choose a favorite to share. You pick!

[Jean M Fogle]

We all need to fly, to stretch ourselves , to be open to change. Our friends are what we fall back on to help lift us up, into the currents above.
http://pixels-n-pen.blogspot.com

[Liz Dager]

woo hoo!

[Jenny]

I would love to win Kelly's book. I just started following her blog and I have been inspired by what I've seen and read so far. Thank you for the giveaway!

[Robin]

what a wonderful inspiration - following your dreams is hard! but absolutely worth it.

[AppleTree]

It's time for me to find my wings again...

[krista]

yay! for spreading your wings!!
--krista in austin

[Julie Marie]

Share your thoughts on soaring. ---} As a photographer, when I'm in the middle of a shoot... that is when I'm soaring.. I'm in my element... it's the best feeling. I'm soaring when I have my children around me, laughing.. playing.. enjoying their childhood to the fullest.

When all things are possible, what do you see? ----} Wonderous things !! Beauty, Hope, Love, Peace...

Have you captured images from your bird’s eye view? ---} This would be one of my faves...
http://juliemariephotography.blogspot.com/2008/11/its-cold-outside.html

[Puna]

I don't like to fly, except in my mind...

[Jennifer]

Beautiful words. And, it seems, appropriate for so many of those commenting.
I'm trying to spread my wings, but fear keeps me from fully flying.
I'll keep working though...

[Kimberly]

i absolutely love kelly rae and think that her book is the perfect giveaway for this post. perfectly written, as usual...
happy holidays!

[Shalet]

Wonderful post! My own wings are just beginning to sprout. And how excited am I that I actually won yesterday's bracelet!! Thank you Shutter Sisters!

[Alicia]

I remember the feel of flying... I miss it so.

[Cheryl]

I have done many things this year to spread my wings, but it seems I can't get off the ground. But, I will change that this coming year. Great photo.

[Emme]

Just found your site. You expressed perfectly what is in my heart these days. I'm ready to find those forgotten wings.

[kayla]

Ahhh. I love kelly rae. I got one of her prints for my mom for Christmas. She is so awesome. Thanks for the giveaway!

[Stacy]

This past year I feel like my creativity has soared. I think it is so important to do things for yourself that makes you feel happy, outside of being wife, mother, sister, daughter...it does help our souls feel free. I don't get a lot of sleep, but that's okay...I deal with it. ;)

I started up drawing again, which resulted in a few fabric designs and I just got a shirt yesterday with my fall tree printed on it. I was so happy to see it. :)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kraft/sets/72157606222837085/

I now know how to shoot pretty much anything with my camera so I've been working on my creativity with it now and taking pics of others has really helped me learn, too.

http://stacyck.com/

I sewn so many new designs for my daughter this year. That has been a lot of fun designing for her! :)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kraft/sets/72157594269413929/


I think I can pretty much call this the year of creativity for me...I hope next year I can do as much. :)

[norah]

What a lovely, beautiful post - very thought provoking

[Cis]

Too bad that it is usually later than sooner that we discover our wings ... oh the cares of this life drag us and pin us to the earth!

Looks like a lovely book giveway!

[mary]

What a wonderful post, and thank you so much for providing encouragement and inspiration to all us fledglings. :)

I suppose this could be a bird's eye view; at the very least, it is a view through my new eyes. For that is what my camera brings me...

http://mary-simplethings.blogspot.com/2008/12/brrrr.html

[Sharon]

I really needed these words today. Thank you. This has been a challenging year. I must find those wings. I'm hoping this book may help.

[Kim M]

Everywhere I go, I keep hearing about this book! I think I need it....

[Annie]

I love flying in flocks. Spreading my wings into new territory with people I love. I'm so glad for this book give a way. I need some inspiration!

[Julie Alvarez]

This is fantastic.
And somehow, I feel it related to this thing I wrote many days ago:
http://juliealvarez.blogspot.com/2008/11/conocs-alguna-mujer-de-treinta-y-pico.html

[Kyla]

Lovely post! Guess it's time to start spreading my own wings!

Sometimes our children are the best example:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/thekreativelife/2908642308/