The Open Cage of Pawing: When Fear Builds Walls Stronger Than Bars
We've all heard the saying, "The only thing to fear is fear itself." But how often do we truly internalize it? How often do we recognize the subtle, insidious ways fear can construct prisons around us, invisible yet impenetrable? I want to tell you a story today, a simple tale about a little bird named Pawing , that beautifully illustrates this profound truth. Meet Pawing, a tiny finch with feathers the color of twilight and a song that, when he chose to sing it, was pure joy. Pawing lived in a cage. It was a lovely cage, gilded and spacious, with fresh water and an abundance of seeds. But it was a cage nonetheless. The peculiar thing about Pawing's cage, however, was its door. More often than not, it stood wide open. Not ajar, not slightly ajar – but flung open, inviting and unobstructed. His human, a kind soul, had left it that way, hoping Pawing would one day find the courage to explore the vast, green world beyond the window. But Pawing didn't fly out. Day aft...