Caged Birds
I was sitting with a patient by a large bird habitat, about the size of an armoire. He has a mild cognitive impairment, but he shared something profound that I needed to hear. As he gazed at the birds, he remarked on their beauty and then burst into laughter. Curious, I asked what was funny, and he responded, “The birds have made this habitat their home and gotten so comfortable. They think this is their entire world because they’ve never been outside of it.”
His words made me reflect: Have I made my own space my entire world by choosing not to step out? Have you closed yourself off so much that you've created a small habitat around yourself? Just think—how much more could we grow, physically, emotionally, or spiritually, if we broke free from our own little habitats?
I’ve read that real growth happens when we step outside of our routines. Experts tell us that you’ll never achieve new results by sticking to the same habits. Whether it’s trying a new workout or picking up a book instead of binge-watching shows, changing our actions can lead to transformative experiences.
Below are some helpful articles, if you’re feeling stuck
https://summer.harvard.edu/blog/leaving-your-comfort-zone/#The-Science-of-the-Comfort-Zone