Tell me something- you ever see dis from yuh born?
See what? you ask.
See a giraffe carrying its calf on its back!
Yes -Seriously! There is an actual photograph making the rounds. It’s top-notch! Plus, the calf is the cuuutest thing, you see!
Well, … it’s a calf till you wipe the cobwebs from your eyes to investigate properly and realise the body looks more like a cub in giraffe skin.
Trust me when I tell yuh I wrestled with showing you the picture. Even as it has me in awe, it angers me- greatly! Truth is, if I share the pic it will draw more people’s attention to the blog. But, I decided against it when I figured that I may do more to promote this sort of thing than to stop it.
In a weird way the picture had me transfixed. It made me sit in wonder. Then, it made me do research. The response was sooo quick. FAKE!
I don’t know if I should call that picture a blatant lie or the blatant truth.
The photograph is very well taken, or so it seems. It looks so real. There is nothing to suggest that it is a creative production. Nope. A number of persons are sharing the adorable image without realizing that a newly-newborn giraffe stands about 6 feet tall. There is no signature or mark to let us know the source of this viral pic. It spreads coos and aahhhs as well as the belief that giraffes carry their young on their backs.
This pic also prodded me. You know why? I still have not written a blog about the virtues and vices of AI. Yes, that still needs to be done. HhhmmmM.
Yup, this is more than likely a picture generated with AI.
On the other hand, if you stick with me, you will see that this infamous pic helps to underscore the message of today’s blog. Stick with me.
Last time I wrote about my Hero in a Blue Suit and a Baby Giraffe. In that blog, I shared my fascination with a 2 minute video of a calf learning to stand. It led me to watch other videos and to do further research about this momentous event. I hope you take the time to watch the Wilds video and to read that blog. I hope it inspires you to become your own hero too.
Now, allow me to share 5 lessons this video launched in me. They may prove handy for you too. Let me know what you think, ok.
Here goes-
Lesson #1:
1) On your own growth journey beware of the fancy pics, testimonials, quick-fix programmes and unrealistic deadlines that make it sound like it’s an easy and cute process. The photo angered me because it proves that there is a campaign of deception to give false impressions.
Similarly, some of us have adopted faulty beliefs that whatever is worth doing will be quick, and, that if you falter you have failed. Perhaps you can think of others that have prevented you from investing in a meaningful relationship, or, from adopting keystone habits. Or, maybe you have developed blocks, or, phobias, like how I struggle with Maths.
The truth is, there are more days I have done better with numbers than not. But the one deggeh deggeh time I falter I go into gridlock. Or, the experience results in drama… rather than confidence to tackle a challenge. You get what I mean?
As an aside, here is a tickle: my students think that Math is my favorite subject. Reason being, they enjoy the way I teach it. I don’t let the faulty belief pulsate to them. Same way suh, I tell myself, I need to tackle the faulty belief in me too. Release the hooks. Explore and expand, I say.
My friend, let’s recall milestones you have experienced. Was it learning to ride a bicycle, or cooking a family recipe? Was it learning to eat with knife and fork, or being sociable at special events? Was it when you began saving or investing? Come on, you and I know that talent and time will not be microwaved to produce success.
Sadly, we are becoming specialists in developing the imposter syndrome, procrastination and anxiety. Truth be told, we should commit to reinforcing … grit, grace and resilience.
Let’s commit to learning how to stand on our feet.
Lesson #2:
To stand on our feet is usually the end result of being in an in-between place. Consider that the baby giraffe just landed with a thud after 13-15 months in the womb. Add to that the hours of discomfort during labour. More than likely the little one would prefer to just lie there and be pampered. Yet, somehow, within minutes, the calf recognizes that it is being nudged to get up.
Unbeknownst to the calf, it needs to exercise its limbs in order to strengthen them.
It needs to stand in order to get milk from its mom.
Later, standing leads to stretching for leaves and bending to drink water.
Further, in the wild, predators are lurking. Standing is essential to surviving. Standing leads to walking and then to running.
This in-between place is a matter of life or death. You can neither go back to the womb nor succeed until you stand. You are neither here nor there.
Similarly, you and I are in an in-between place. Knowing what we need to work on is a sign that ignorance is no longer bliss. The frustration we feel because we don’t have particular benefits is a sign of the skills or assets we ought to pursue.
Let’s commit to learning how to stand.
Lesson #3
To stand on our feet is usually an act of trying again and again and again. Aaaii sah! Me nuh like this part.
Watching the staccato steps of this bungling creature reminds me of the many times I have attempted to be a writer. Practicing, scheduling, editing and posting are just a few skills that require effort. Yes, mucho much effort. Motivation alone is not enough.
From my experience, learning a new skill often requires grit, discipline and determination. It is a process. These words are neither romantic nor exhilarating.
I am still in awe of the angles the giraffe makes as it tries to find its footing. I celebrated as it held its own weight. I empathized when it suddenly fell after standing steadily for what seems to be a long “milli-second”. Can you relate to this?
Perhaps you will agree that it’s similar to learning to play an instrument. After repeatedly practising the bars of music, you find that you fumble before your music teacher or, worse, in front of an audience at the concert.
This is quite humiliating, isn’t it?
Yet, to become a virtuoso one MUST get up again and again and again. No one else can do it for you. No one else will. They can either mourn with you or cheer you on. But, no one else can stand on your feet for you.
Keep on keeping on.
Lesson #4
To stand on our feet usually seems lonely but you are NOT alone.
One of the most intriguing things for me is that the calf could have a victim mentality or hold the perspective that it is abandoned. Yes, imagine with me here.
Truth is, the mother isolates herself to give birth. She will not allow another giraffe near until the calf stands.
For me, this is quite significant. On the growth journey one often feels as if no one else “quite gets it”. Many times, one feels lost too.
In fact, it is particularly frustrating whenever I lack the words to articulate my desires or feelings. I also remember how difficult it is to find other like-minded persons in order to explore and to sharpen my skills. It’s difficult. Or, how about when I need to be bold, … or, to take a risk when I fear failure?
Even though it’s easier to do nothing or to be sulky, I know that no one and no progress comes from “no thing”. Sometimes, it’s through the groans that I press in and press on.
More recently, I have come to realise that highly successful people sometimes choose isolation. They literally take themselves away from the “noise of the crowd” just to rehearse or to sharpen focus.
So, now, I wonder what would happen if we saw isolation as a gift. Scheduling time to work, to reflect and to improve could be a game changer, couldn’t it?
Believe it or not, my ears perked up a while back when I heard Terri Savelle Foy encouraging us to level up as she promoted her book, The Alone Advantage.
Perhaps I should use that as the code for my scheduled personal growth activities. What do you think?
Would the gift of isolation help you and I to stand too?
Lesson #5
To stand on our feet is evidence of the supernatural.
You see, every detail that brought the giraffe to life is full of wonder to me. Being in an “in-between stage” is awesome! More astounding, is recognizing the “mother giraffe” is like God.
Crazy, huh?
Work with me. Don’t flick away yet.
From my own growth experience, I recall the frustration, the bungling, the isolation, the self-imposed negative labels, the pessimism, the groans. I can also relate to the triumph of courage, and mini achievements like standing for seconds or stuttering. Yes, I can. Aaii yah yaaiii!
Now that I am older, I more easily recognize the evidence of providence.
Here is a definition of Providence that I truly like:
Providence is the guardianship and care provided by a deity or god. Religious people thank their god for his providence.
To me, providence is mysterious and magnanimous. Providence is hidden in plain view. It is sophisticated yet simple. So simple it rarely draws attention to itself. Providence may be orchestrated but it is not manufactured.
Let’s consider a few examples: in the space of alone-ness the calf is never alone. The calf is with its mother who it has never seen before. The calf is intrinsically connected to the mother for months even though it doesn’t know her height or the texture of her fur.
Even when the calf can’t feel her breath, or the lick of her tongue or hear her voice (yes, giraffes make sounds inaudible to us humans), the mother is there observing, guarding, waiting, helping.
In my isolated space of growth, God is always there too.
From time to time this aspect of God is evidenced as coincidence, or a family member, or a destiny-helper, or even in the breeze of hope that motivates me to try again. Has this ever happened to you?
Really?
Sometimes it is hindsight that highlights how much you have been guided by a presence after all.
The nature videos reveal another layer of providence.
Notice the community. The community enters the scene when the calf is standing and walking. The herd is waiting. It welcomes the newbie only after the calf gets to this particular level of about 6ft tall. In other words, even though the pair were separated from the herd, they were never outcasts. They were never ever forsaken.
Same way so, when you and I get on our feet we will discover the others who have been waiting to welcome us. There is a herd waiting to take you to next level too, but, you have got to stand first.
Are you able to relaunch successfully?
Will these lessons help to soothe the bruise and
encourage you to stand steady-
Stand sturdy-
again?
In a nutshell, be encouraged! Be inspired to pursue meaningful goals.
· As you prepare to stand on your own feet remember that its likely to take more than you estimate.
· Remember that personal growth is neither glamourous nor easy. It’s a process that is unique to you and your abilities. For that reason, you will need to try and try again. Pause. Muster the effort, and try again.
· Standing on your feet is a matter of life OR death. So, quite literally, every decisive action matters in the in-between place. It’s better to be clumsy than comatose.
· Growth is easier if you remember that you are not alone. You may be isolated but you are not alone. In fact, scheduled times are likely to be an advantage.
· Moreover, there is a presence that is always nudging, guarding and welcoming you and I to another level of maturity and community. Standing on our feet will reveal them to us.
Let’s muster the effort needed to stand on our feet. More benefits await.
As I close, I hear Mama Laur’ s voice as she says, “Stan’ ‘tuddy, chile! Stan’ ‘tuddy!”
Loved the thoughts shared. I can never look at a baby giraffe the same way again 😀