A hummingbird wandered into my home, mistaking a houseplant for a garden. When it tried to leave, it found the light on the other side of a window.
It flew to that light again and again, striking the glass with its tiny wings.
“This must be the way,” it thought. “If I try harder, I’ll get through.”
I offered a broom for it rest on, guiding the bird toward our open door. The bird paused then rushed back to the same window. We did this dance on repeat. It pained me to watch it suffer and reject my help.
Only when it grew tired did it finally stop. In stillness, it turned and noticed the open door behind. With one soft breath, it flew to freedom by itself.
You cannot free someone who insists the window is the way. Even with all the help in the world, only you can choose to change your direction, and the path only becomes clearest when the heart is calm.
