The Release of Creative Work--A Redtail Hawk Release

The first meeting of the Joy of Expression Discussion Group is set for a little over a week from now, scheduled for Tuesday, 2/24/09.

Preparing for this first meeting, I discover that I am eager, anxious, nervous, and hopeful, all at the same time. Providing an atmostphere that will let others open to sharing with "like kind" about hopes and dreams as well as worries and concerns means a lot to me. On the one hand I want to get the opportunity right. On the other hand, I know that to truly honor the people who come, I must take my hands off the control stick and let happen what will happen with only a slight nudge here or there to keep us on track.

It's always been a struggle to release the more sensitive, creative work that I love into the world. And it would seem that I have not yet gotten used to the idea. I'm no better at releasing outcomes now than I was in my early years. But, since I really want to open this opportunity to others as well as myself, I'll do it, fear and trepidation aside.

I'm reminded of a time when I was a volunteer at the Heard Museum Raptor Rehabilitation Center in McKinney Texas. The last day I was there, I was given an opportunity to release a redtail hawk back into the wild after months of rehabilitation. I'd fist fed the bird and come to appreciate its vulnerability as well as its true wild nature.

The hawk's talons securely curled over my leather gloved forearm, I leaned out over the edge of a cliff, gently swung my arm upward and away from my body and mentally released the bird in my mind. For a moment he did not fly--not until I said in my heart and mind, "Fly, you beautiful creature, fly."

Off he soared, drifting gently side to side as if he'd never been wounded, vulnerable, or dependent on us humans. I hope in the creative group that, like the hawk, each person, with care, support, and belief, will release the works from the depth of their nature to soar to their rightful place in the world.

So be it,

Lynn