Soaring High: Nuggets from Jonathan Livingston Seagull

Other people may question your abilities or remind you of your limits, but why would you listen to them when you know that you can do more, be more? 

The story of Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach reminds the readers that the only limitations are the ones in the mind; that if you put your heart into it and give it your best shot, you can achieve your dreams. Here are some quotes from the story:

“I don’t mind being bone and feathers, Mum. I just want to know what I can do in the air and what I can’t, that’s all. I just want to know.” -JLS

We can lift ourselves out of ignorance, we can find ourselves as creatures of excellence and intelligence and skill. We can be free! We can learn to fly!

“But you can, Jonathan. For you have learned. One school is finished, and the time has come for another to begin.”

For each of them, the most important thing in living was to reach out and touch perfection in that which they most loved to do, and that was to fly.

“You will begin to touch heaven, Jonathan, in the moment that you touch perfect speed. And that isn't flying a thousand miles an hour, or a million, or flying at the speed of light. Because any number is a limit, and perfection doesn't have limits. Perfect speed, my son, is being there.” -Chiang

“To fly as fast as thought, to anywhere that is, you must begin by knowing that you have already arrived ...” -Chiang

“Don’t believe what your eyes are telling you. All they show is limitation. Look with your understanding, find out what you already know, and you’ll see the way to fly.” -JLS

The story is inspiring and motivating, its a good wake up call for those who are afraid to venture into the unknown and dare to do more, to be more. There's just something I don't agree with, it's the part where Chaing tells Jonathan to forget about faith, that he doesn't need faith to fly. Yes, his skill, boldness, the way he sees himself, understands things, and his determination to reach greater heights, made his accomplishment possible but there is more to it. The same is true in our lives, we can be the best in our field, be it in law or something else, but the thing is, faith makes a big difference; giving glory to God makes things more special. :)