The Journey of the Bird: A Metaphor for Healing After Trauma

The Journey of the Bird: A Metaphor for Healing After Trauma

In the early stages of life, a bird is completely dependent on its mother. It cannot fly, cannot fend for itself, and relies on the safety and comfort of being nurtured. The mother bird watches over her young, providing warmth and protection. But, there comes a point when she knows she must let go. She doesn't rush to save her chick every time it falls from the nest. She knows that falling is part of the process. Without the experience of falling and trying again, the bird will never learn to fly.

In many ways, this is how healing after trauma can feel. As survivors, we often seek rescue, yearn for someone to make the pain go away, or long for someone to fix us. We might look for people who can comfort us in our brokenness, just like a young bird looks to its mother. And, while comfort and care are crucial, there comes a time when we, too, must spread our wings—learning to trust ourselves and our ability to heal.

Sometimes, the healing process involves moments of vulnerability, pain, and even failure. Just as the mother bird doesn’t swoop in to prevent the fall, we must learn to face the struggles that come with trauma, knowing that each step forward, no matter how small, helps us grow. We will not always be perfect, and we will stumble, but those moments teach us how to stand back up and fly on our own.

However, the bird’s journey isn’t just about flying alone. While the mother bird lets go, she is always present, watching from afar, ready to guide when needed. Similarly, in our healing journey, it's okay to seek support when we need it. But there is strength in knowing that, like the bird, we have the inner resources to protect and heal ourselves.

As we heal, we learn to recognize when we need help and when we need to trust our instincts to protect our peace and safety. Much like the bird, we may fall, but with each challenge, we gain the strength to rise again. Eventually, we fly—not because someone saved us, but because we were brave enough to learn how

Kathe'rine