Be You... A Children's Parable | Transformed Hearts Counseling

Once upon a time a long time ago in a land far away, there lived an Eagle, Rabbit, Bear and a Fish. They were classmates in the same school. Each day, they attended school with anticipation and excitement to learn new things. They not only had to learn reading, math, science; but they also had classes in flying, running, climbing, and swimming.

Eagle did great at flying. In fact, he did more than just fly, he soared. Running class was a bit of a challenge for Eagle, as his running was more of a waddle and a hop. Eagle really struggled with climbing as well as swimming class where he almost drowned and needed to be rescued.

Rabbit really tried hard in flying class, but this was not her favorite subject. Rabbit loved running, as she was the top of her class. Rabbit struggled with climbing, but she was able to jump and scratch up part of the tree or climbing wall but always fell off. Like Eagle, Rabbit also needed to be rescued from the swimming pond more times than she cared to remember.

Bear was a great climber of trees and excelled. He was even able to jump out of a tree and appear to fly or should I say fall. Bear was an average swimmer. He was able to run but not as fast as rabbit.

Fish, of course, excelled in swimming; and none of her peers even could compare. She could jump out of the water and fly through the air. As we all know, fish do not have legs so running was not an option and climbing…well, let’s just say she was like a fish out of water.

After each school day, Eagle would hang his head feeling sorry for himself thinking about his inability to swim like Fish and run like Rabbit. Rabbit would encourage Eagle and remind him if only she could fly like him her life would be better. Bear could not agree more about Eagle’s ability. Bear praised Rabbit for her talent to run so fast and quick and longed to be able to do the same someday. Fish was ungrateful with her gift of swimming. You see, all of her family could do the same. It was no big deal, but she was jealous of Bear’s ability to climb the tallest trees in the forest.

Week after week, Eagle, Rabbit, Bear, and Fish would leave school feeling worthless about themselves and hopeless about their future, focusing on everything they were not able to do and could not do no matter how hard they tried. No longer did they encourage each other, because each knew they were going to receive a failing grade in two to three of the subjects by the end of the school year. There were no real winners. They each just felt…well, just average.

One day, Fox, a wise old creature of the Great Forest, heard them talking, as they walked along the riverbank. He gently interrupted their conversation. He began to remind them that they were intentionally created differently by the Creator, The Great Wind of the Great Forest.

First, Fox reminded Fish how the Creator had made Fish with the ability to swim and encouraged her to swim with all her might and delight in it. The wise Fox praised Bear for his big powerful paws and claws, as he was gifted with the ability to climb and dig. Fox looked at Rabbit and her powerful back legs for such a small animal was so significant for her sprinting with such agility. Finally, Fox, spoke to Eagle and encouraged him to stretch out his wings, which stretched over six feet wide, and reminded him these wings were not just for flying but for soaring thousands of feet above the ground. His razor-sharp eyesight was designed, so he could see for miles.

He informed Eagle that he was not a Rabbit, Rabbit that she was not a Bear, Bear that he was not a Fish and Fish that she was not an Eagle. Fox encouraged them to stop trying to be someone they were not and told them they can bring glory to the Creator’s heart and peace to their own by using their talents and gifts to the best of their ability, which would bless all in the Great Forest. He encouraged them to spend more time listening to the Great Wind, who usually spoke with an intimate whisper and not with great noise like the world around them. He encouraged them to not only listen but to believe in who the Great Wind said that they were, as this was a wise thing to do. He encouraged them to stop believing in what others thought they should be, as this was foolish and would cause them much shame. He informed them that the voice of shame says, “You are bad,” and it is always a lie. This is never the voice of the Great Wind and should never be believed.

Fox told them that it only mattered who the Great Wind said they were and that he loved each of them very much. The Great Wind does not make mistakes. Each was created for a specific purpose to be a small part of the bigger beautiful painting that they cannot fully see. Once they not only knew it in their mind but believed it in their hearts, everything would then change, as they would live the life the Great Wind had planned for them. But this will take some time to get used to. They each thanked him for his wisdom, as he walked into the woods and disappeared as silently as he came.

It is striking to me how often we try to be someone we are not. We beat ourselves up over ways we fail to perform like others and compare our weakness to the strengths of others. This causes a great deal of self-hatred and shame. We will always lose this game. We will never win the game of comparison. Winners know their talents and gifts. They work on perfecting them which brings glory to Creator and joy to themselves as well as blesses those around them. If you are an Eagle….soar, a Rabbit…sprint, a Bear…dig and climb, a Fish…swim like nobody’s business, and do it to the best of your ability.

Your talents will not only bless you but bless those around you. To do or believe anything different is to live a foolish life of much unnecessary shame. You were created to do great things the Creator designed you to do before time. You will become what you believe. Have gratitude for who you are and for all the talents, abilities, and gifts you have been given regardless of how small. Have gratitude as well for who you are not. Shine your light brightly and use your gifts to the best of your ability without apology, as this gives others permission to do the same.

Cory Schortzman, MA, LPC

Cory Schortzman Executive Director

Cory Schortzman is an author, speaker, teacher and licensed mental health professional. Since 2008, he has served as the Executive Director of Transformed Hearts Counseling Center in Colorado Springs, CO. He is the founder of SARA, the Sexual Addiction Recovery Association. Cory is passionate about helping couples and individuals overcome sex addiction. He is also passionate about bringing awareness to the public and supporting the elimination of sex and human trafficking. Cory has been married since 1998 to his beautiful wife, Kerry, and lives in Colorado with their four daughters. He and Kerry have been seen on the CBS Early Show, Inside Edition, and ABC Good Morning America, Fox 21 News, and TLC/Discovery discussing the harm of sex addiction and the joys of recovery. He has also been heard on numerous radio programs.

Cory’s books include: Out of the Darkness, Into the Light the Workbook, Into the Light the Steps, Ashes to Beauty the Steps, 301 Dating Ideas, 301 Conversational Ideas, 301 Ways to Say I Love You, 301 Ways to Love Your Children & 301 Recovery Tools & Tips.