In these moments, we empathize with Icarus as we plunge to the icy waters below. We overstep our boundaries and damage a relationship. Doesn’t everything worthwhile involve some sort of struggle?īut what happens when we soar too close to the sun and get burned? We lose a major client. It’s okay to introduce risk if it could translate to infinite security for our family. It’s okay to branch out and meet new people. We cannot constantly push down our true feelings. But do we stifle our own opinions to avoid damaging a relationship? Do we shy away from new connections and hold tight to our familiar friendships? Do we maintain the status quo at the expense of enormous upside? It’s okay to voice our beliefs even if it means creating friction. There is nothing wrong with stability and staying above the drama. At some point, we can coast into a comfortable lifestyle. How else can we know how high we can soar? As long as it not illegal or immoral, why not strive for more? Why not head towards the sun? But are we maximizing our potential? Or are we heading down a runway of complacency? In our sales careers, are we satisfied with meeting our quota or do we get creative and blow our numbers away? Do we have surface relationships with our clients or do we dig deep for intimate knowledge of their needs? As teachers, do we follow the same routine each year or do we adjust our methods to maximize the personalities in this particular class? As business owners and leaders, are we looking to get a comfortable payout or are we striving to transform lives? In order to impact our little corner of the world, sometimes we have to push past our own comfortable routines and climb into dangerous territory. In our work lives, soaring at a comfortable altitude can prolong our careers. If we don’t test the boundaries in our work and personal lives, how will we ever know how high we can fly? But, while I applaud the message and the subtext (“Hey kids, if you don’t listen to your father, bad things will happen!”), I am not sure this lesson applies to modern resiliency. The classic fall of Icarus imparts a powerful lesson in humility, and the wisdom of living within your limits. The intense heat destroyed his wings and sent Icarus plunging to the despair of the seething ocean below. But early in their journey, Icarus became excited and soared toward the heavens, dangerously close to the sun’s powerful rays. It was better to maintain an even, steady course. On the day of the ingenious escape, Daedalus warned Icarus not to fly too close to the sun, as the heat could melt the wax and ruin the delicate wings. Undaunted, Daedalus cleverly constructed wings made out of bird feathers and wax. King Minos was so protective of the secrets that lay within, he jailed Daedalus and his son, Icarus, and refused them any contact with the outside world. For those not up to speed on their Greek Mythology, Daedalus was the brilliant inventor of the original Labyrinth on the island of Crete. He also warned the young boy not to fly too high as the warmth from the sun would melt the wax that held the feathers and cause him to fall to earth.My daughter came home from school this week excited to share the story of Daedalus and Icarus. Before they did so, Daedalus warned his son not to fly too low to the sea, as the mist would dampen his wings and cause him to fall. When the wings were complete the father and son prepared to jump from the tower and fly to freedom. He then constructed wings for his son Icarus, who had been cast away in the tower as well. He constructed a set of wings that could be worn by a man by using candlewax and thread to hold the feathers in place. We’ll go thro’ air for sure the air is free.”ĭaedalus collected the feathers of the numerous birds that roosted in his tower prison. The original Roman poem describes this inspiration when Daedalus states: “Tho’ Earth and water in subjection laid, So the inventor decided that if he could not escape by sea, then he would escape the island of Crete by riding on the winds. All the ships leaving the island were carefully monitored by King Minos, who was determined to not let Daedalus escape. Daedalus and his son, Icarus, spent their days locked up in a tower, unable to escape by land or sea.
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