Have you ever seen a peacock in flight? On land they are the most majestic of animals. Photos often depict a gracefulness and confidence in flight. In reality, they can be the most ungainly and uncoordinated of birds. For me, the peacock mirrors how we often perceive perfection in others whilst denying it within ourselves.
We admire the strength, beauty and aptitude of people around us. We also often lament a desire to possess those same attributes. Have you noticed that?
Mirror
What we see in other people is a reflection. Those attributes and qualities we admire in others is a mirror image of what also exists within us. Above all, we are all interconnected with one another.
When we appreciate something special about another person, we are also sub-consciously acknowledging this specialness within ourselves.
Being Versus Trying To Be
The perceived exterior often does not represent the interior. Someone can appear to be confident and cool as a cucumber. And yet, on the inside they might be a nervous, insecure wreck. Appearances can be deceiving.
Peacocks with their self-assured strut and glorious presence remind me of this. We are all desire the acceptance of those around us.
On our property in Nelson (New Zealand) our two resident peacocks (a peahen and a peacock) used to keep me company as I tended my vegetable patch. As the boy vibrated and displayed his impressive tail plumage, his attempts to impress the peahen went largely unnoticed as she luxuriated in her dust bath.
Time and again, I observed the male peacock trying to impress the dog and the sheep with his tail feathers. Each time he was greeted with strange looks, clearly not the acknowledgement sought. I was being shown that sometimes we need to be in our essence to be appreciated for it. Evidently, desperation is not impressive. As a result, an awkward, forced energy is created instead of one that flows harmoniously.
Lessons of the Peacock
Animals are wonderful at revealing aspects of ourselves to us that we would otherwise not acknowledge within ourselves. I am reminded that all living things are connected.
Peacocks gift me with the awareness around being (as opposed to trying to be). Likewise, these birds have also provided insights about love and self-potency in my dreams.
In every sense, they are my spiritual totem.
Anne McCormack is author of the book, Lovitude: Trying To Calm The Monkey Mind and the award-winning, Peacock Dreaming: The Wisdom Of Flowers.
Feature photo courtesy of Anne McCormack
Interested in more articles? Check these out:
My Wish For You – Stepping Into Mindfulness
Making Me Happy! A Journey Into Mindfulness