Crested Pigeon

Pictured here, the male Crested Pigeon, in a full-feathered courtship manoeuvre. Just out of picture, frame right, was the female.

I sat and watched this power line courtship for some time. I felt moved by both the sense of honour and vulnerability in the male's display.

A deep bow of the head, and then a vulnerable revealing of its whole self: "Here I am, and these are all my feathers.".

The Crested Pigeon reminds me of the importance of being vulnerable with those I plan to spend my life with - family, friends and partners.

Vulnerability can be a great tool for shaping an ecosystem into a healthy, loving, accepting space. A space in which we can show all our true feathers. Sharing our insecurities and fears can be daunting, yet we're liable to make ourselves more vulnerable by not sharing them. If we keeps things to ourselves, suffering in silence, our loved ones aren't aware of our boundaries, what makes us feel insecure, what stifles us, or what prevents us from being ourselves.

Though it's amazing how when we're vulnerable with a loved one, it opens up a space for them to be vulnerable too. And this can bring us so much closer. We can feather a safe and loving nest for all.

Are there parts of yourself that you feel are withdrawn around your loved ones? Do you have insecurities, or boundaries, that aren't being observed? Could being vulnerable help you spread your wings and fly?