Do you ever feel trapped in your own life? Like you’re living in a cage, unable to spread your wings and fly? If so, you’re not alone. Many of us have felt this way at one point or another. But why is it that we feel this way? Why do we allow ourselves to be confined by our own limiting beliefs and circumstances? In his famous quote, Alejandro Jodorowsky compares people to birds born in a cage. When birds are born in captivity, they don’t know any different. They don’t know what it’s like to fly freely in the open sky. As a result, all birds born in a cage begin to see flying as a sickness or an illness, something to be avoided rather than celebrated. They accept their captivity as the norm and limit themselves in the process.
Similarly, many of us are born into circumstances that limit our potential. Maybe we are born into families with limited resources, neighborhoods with limited opportunities, and societies with limited beliefs about what is possible. We are told what we can and cannot do, and we accept these limitations as the truth. We see the world through a limited lens and fail to realize our full potential.
Breaking Free from Limiting Beliefs
So how can we break free from our limiting beliefs and become the birds that soar high in the sky? The first step is to recognize that our beliefs are not set in stone. It’s important to know that we have the power to change them. We must question our beliefs and challenge the assumptions that hold us back. Additionally, we must be open to new experiences and new perspectives. We must be willing to take risks and make mistakes.
Another key to breaking free from limiting beliefs is to surround ourselves with people who support and encourage us. We need people who will challenge us to grow and push us beyond our comfort zones. We need people who believe in us even when we don’t believe in ourselves. When we have a support system, we are more likely to take risks and pursue our dreams.
Embracing the Unknown
Breaking free from our limiting beliefs also requires us to embrace the unknown. It’s easy to stay in our comfort zones and stick with what we know. But growth and change only happen when we venture into the unknown. We must be willing to take risks and embrace uncertainty. We must be willing to try new things and explore new opportunities.
It’s essential to break free from our self-imposed cages and embrace our freedom. It may seem daunting to leave behind the familiar, but it’s the only way to grow and experience life to its fullest. Just like a bird needs to spread its wings to fly, we need to spread our minds and hearts to live fully. We should learn to be comfortable with discomfort and embrace the unknown.
The Perils of Comfort Zones
The concept of being born in a cage is not limited to physical constraints. It can also apply to mental and emotional states. We often become comfortable with the familiar and fear stepping out of our comfort zones. It’s only when we take that leap of faith that we realize what we’re capable of.
When we’re in our comfort zones, we tend to avoid taking risks, which can limit our personal and professional growth. We may also become complacent and settle for less than what we’re capable of achieving.
Cultivating a Growth Mindset
Finally, breaking free from limiting beliefs requires us to cultivate a growth mindset. A growth mindset is the belief that our abilities and intelligence can be developed through hard work and dedication. When we have a growth mindset, we see challenges as opportunities for growth and learning. We embrace failure as a natural part of the learning process and are willing to put in the effort to improve.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the quote “Birds born in a cage think flying is an illness” is a powerful reminder of the limitations we impose on ourselves. We must recognize that we have the power to break free from these limiting beliefs and live up to our full potential. We must be willing to challenge our assumptions, embrace the unknown, and cultivate a growth mindset. When we do, we can spread our wings and soar high in the open sky.
