Lessons From A Bird
The other day, I was driving in silence. It wasn’t a peaceful, meditative silence—it was forced. In a world that constantly bombards us with content, conversations, and demands, many of us have forgotten how to just sit… quietly.
But I made myself do it. No music, no phone calls, no input—just stillness. It was uncomfortable at first. I wanted to do something. But I sat there anyway.
As traffic slowed to a standstill, I looked out across the water and then up to the sky.
There it was—a bird, gliding effortlessly, high above the noise. I watched it, curious to see how long it could soar without flapping its wings. Five minutes passed. It never moved a muscle. Just glided.
Then I looked around. The trees told a different story. Lower branches rustled gently. One tall palm bent under the pressure of the wind.
In the silence, a few life and leadership lessons settled in:
- Silence takes effort. You have to resist the noise—your phone, your tasks, even your thoughts. Stillness isn’t given. It’s chosen.
- Sometimes the best move is no move. Instead of forcing our way forward, there are seasons where we’re meant to be carried.
- Leaders feel the wind differently. The same winds that nudge others may bend you more deeply. But that doesn’t mean you’re breaking.
- The unexpected often holds the lesson. But we’ll only catch it if we slow down enough to notice.
So much of life can feel like motion. But wisdom? It often comes in the stillness.
When was the last time you sat in silence—and what did it teach you?
Drop a comment below. I’d love to hear.
Meet The Author
Leah JM Dean is a bestselling author, speaker, coach, and trusted advisor to organizations and leaders across the globe. She is also Founder and CEO of Conduit International Ltd., a professional and personal development solutions company dedicated to helping organizations, leaders, and women work smarter, live well, and foster meaningful connections. A self-proclaimed recovering workaholic, Leah is passionate about helping her clients find strategies to optimize their work, invest in their wellbeing, and make a lasting impact on the lives of those they touch. Join our community to receive our monthly newsletter—full of practical tips, tools, and inspiration. Sign up at www.leahjmdean.com/join.
