Nelly Favis-Villafuerte So often said that great leaders soar up like eagles. Unknown to many, eagles is one species of birds that have fascinated and inspired many people with their astounding and brilliant leadership characteristics. In this modern world, man has taken eagles as a living symbol of bravery, courage, honor and determination. Referred to by many as the nobility of the feathered society, eagles have been revered by ancient people. One may ask: What’s so special with the flying habits of eagles? Most birds fly up in the air by flapping their wings. This is not the case with eagles. The wings of eagles are built for soaring – and not flapping like other birds. Enabling the eagles to fly much farther than the other birds with less effort. Thus, the verse “they will soar on wings like eagles” is very revealing about the flying peculiarity of eagles. Unknown to many of us, there are invisible columns of hot air called thermals which rise up here and there from the earth’s surface. We do not know why our Lord God created thermals. What we know is that eagles, unlike the other birds, know where to locate these thermals. One writer says that “eagles fly into these invisible updraft, stretch out their wings, and are lifted higher and higher into the sky as though ascending on an elevator. They may rise as high as 14,000 feet, so high they cannot be seen from earth with the naked eye. When they reached those heights, they emerge from the updraft, their wings still spread, and they soar this way and that way, downward and sideward, traveling for miles with very little exertion of strength.” Do you know that eagles love the storm? They are the only birds that love the storm. While other birds try to flee from the storm, eagles fly into it and will use the wind of the storm to rise higher in a matter of second. They use the pressure of the storm to glide high thus no energy of the eagle is used. Like the eagle, the great leader faces the challenges (his own storm) head on to rise to greater heights. Unlike a weak leader who runs away from his storms and challenges or blames other people for his blunders, cowardice, and irresponsibilities. Eagles have a sharp and excellent vision. Their eyes are very large in proportion to their heads. Eagles are very observant of what is happening below, around and above it. Eagles’ eyes are specially designed for long distance focus and clarity. Eagles can spot another eagle soaring from 50 miles away. Some describe the keen eyesight of eagles as 3-D or binocular vision – enabling them to spot an animal the size of a rabbit up to two (2) miles. Comparing the keen vision of eagles with great leaders’ vision, we will not fail to see that like eagles, great leaders have one common characteristic. Vision. Take the case of Abraham Lincoln, considered the greatest American president. Lincoln’s vision was to save the union and free the slaves during the US Civil War. Lincoln’s big and focused vision produced a historic result for US and made Abraham Lincoln a great leader in the eyes of the world. More about eagles. Do you know that a kind of eagle was officially declared the National Emblem of the United States in 1782 by the Second Continental Congress? I am referring to the Bald Eagle. More popularly known as the American Eagle. Simply stated, the American Eagle is the National Bird of the United States. It is the loving symbol of the United States of their freedom, spirit, as well as their pursuit of excellence. The American Eagle is found not only on the US Presidential Seal but also in the US money and stamps. And more. The image and symbolism of the American Eagle plays a key role in the American culture – in its art, folklore, music and architecture. No wonder the American Eagle is protected from harm and extinction by a number of state and federal laws. The American Eagle is found in every US state except Hawaii. Like other eagles (there are 59 species of eagles found on every continent except Antarctica), the American Eagle can gracefully soar in the air for hours using natural wind currents and thermal updrafts as earlier mentioned. Have a joyful day! (For comments/reactions please send to Ms. Villafuerte’s email: [email protected])