“If You Want to Soar with Eagles, Stop Swimming with Ducks”: Embracing the Journey to Reach New Heights
Wayne Dyer’s quote, “If you want to soar with the eagles, you have to stop swimming with the ducks,” speaks to the deeply personal choice to rise above limiting environments and mindsets. The journey toward self-actualization can be lonely, especially when you realize that others could benefit from the peace, freedom, and clarity that comes from flying high. But as difficult as it can be, letting go of the need to “bring others along” is often an essential step in realizing your potential and truly embracing your own journey.
When we experience the liberating gifts of self-growth—such as freedom from ego, relief from limiting beliefs, and a lightness that transcends mental struggles—it’s natural to want to share them. We wish others could feel the weight of anxiety lifted, the release from panic, and the joy of a mind unburdened. Yet, as Wallace D. Wattles says, “We are gods among gods,” each following their unique path. Just as each person’s journey is their own, so too are the lessons they must learn along the way.
Recognizing the Ducks in Your Life
On your path to greater awareness, it’s common to see those around you still burdened by struggles you’ve learned to overcome. Perhaps they suffer from overwhelming anxiety, panic attacks, or even recurring depressive episodes that land them in painful places. You might see how the clarity you’ve gained could offer them relief. And yet, like ducks in a pond, many are simply not ready to leave the waters they know. The idea of soaring above their familiar patterns, even if they are painful, may feel foreign—or even frightening.
Just like giving a precious gem to a friend who doesn’t understand its value, we sometimes find ourselves trying to share gifts of awareness with those who aren’t ready to appreciate them. While we may see it as a key to freedom, they may view it as unnecessary or even irrelevant to their lives. And so, they stay where they are, comfortable in the waters of familiarity.
The Lonely Path of Growth: Balancing Compassion and Detachment
Choosing to soar can be a lonely journey, especially when you feel the urge to bring those you love with you. Once you’ve tasted the freedom of an expanded perspective, you want those you care about to experience that same liberation. After all, the vision from above is clear and beautiful; it’s a place where debilitating fears, the confines of ego, and limiting beliefs fall away. In the air, you find a day free from burdens that were once all-consuming. Naturally, you want to share this peace.
But, as you may already know, trying to carry others with you can be exhausting. Instead of building strength in your own wings, you spend your energy attempting to lift others. It often leaves you drained, frustrated, and ultimately back on the ground. The truth is, each of us is on our path, and as tempting as it is to share the freedom of the skies, we must honor where others are in their journey.
Letting Go: Respecting the Paths of Others
There’s an important freedom that comes with letting others walk their own path. As Wallace D. Wattles reminds us, “We are gods among gods.” Every person has their unique journey to take, and for some, that journey may be grounded in experiences that we might not understand. Just as ducks may never understand what it means to soar, some people may not understand or embrace the transformative potential you’ve found—and that’s okay.
Allowing others to follow their course doesn’t mean abandoning them or withholding compassion. Rather, it’s about respecting their journey and the lessons they’re here to learn. It’s about honoring the idea that everyone finds their wings in their own time, and some may choose to keep them tucked close to their side.
Embracing Your Journey and Finding Other Eagles
By releasing the need to change or carry others, you free yourself to fully embrace your own growth. This freedom also opens the door for you to find others on similar journeys—other eagles who understand the call to soar. These are people who are also letting go of their limiting beliefs, embracing growth, and stepping into a more expansive vision for their lives.
When you’re surrounded by like-minded individuals, you realize that there’s no need to drag others along with you. Instead, you can connect, share, and grow with those who have already taken flight. The journey becomes lighter, and the heights you can reach expand even further.
Final Thoughts: Honor the Freedom to Soar
Choosing to rise above old limitations and break away from confining patterns is a brave and transformative journey. It’s natural to want to share this freedom with those you love, especially if you see them struggling. However, true freedom comes from understanding that while the desire to help others is compassionate, the best way to inspire is often to lead by example.
As you soar, you become a beacon for others. You’re no longer weighed down by the need to bring anyone with you, nor frustrated by their refusal to join. Instead, you inspire those around you by simply being your authentic self, open to connecting with other “eagles” who also want to reach new heights.
