The hatching of a new Black Eagle chick during lockdown filled my heart with joy, and it made me think about life, love and second chances.
We all know the heartbreaking story of Makatsa’s first chick hatching last year June after her partner, Thulane had disappeared. Makatsa tried her best to care for the young chick on her own, and everyone was ecstatic when she seemed to have found a new mate; but Makatsa paid a high price for love when the new male eagle kicked the chick out of the nest.
But, instead of giving up on her new mate, Makatsa gave Mahlori the benefit of the doubt and a second chance, an opportunity he did not waste as the pair bonded soon and started building a new nest, indicating that they were starting a new life and a new family together.
To everyone’s surprise and delight, the monitors from the Black Eagles Project Roodekrans confirmed by mid April this year that there was an egg in the nest. The egg hatched about a month ago, and Mahlori did not disappoint as he showed that he knew how to be a parent. He could be seen helping Makatsa feed the chick and look after it, redeeming himself and grabbing the opportunity at a second chance with both his talons. This made me think of life in general, and how humankind can learn from the animal kingdom. We are very quick to condemn someone who has made a mistake, not lived up to our expectations or disappointed us. It is a well-known fact that humans can hold a grudge for a long time, and punish those who have fallen short.
We are not quick to forgive or give second chances, and we are definitely sceptical about people’s ability to change, which usually results in a lot of heartache, anguish and bitterness. As Malachy McCourt said, “Resentment is like taking poison and waiting for the other person to die”. Grudges, which are usually only misunderstandings not talked through, do no good and benefit no one, neither in our personal nor business lives. The inability to forgive someone or offering them the opportunity to do better by giving them another chance, only causes heartbreak and sadness. In life (and in love) we all make choices and take decisions which are not always right, and might lead to someone close to us getting hurt in the process, often resulting in families being torn apart or relationships ending.
It is only human to want to punish that person for the hurt caused, but you have to ask yourself if the choice made is worth losing a mother, father, daughter, son, wife, husband or other loved one. My personal experience (and opinion) is simply this: everyone deserves another chance and another opportunity to redeem themselves. And, no matter the hurt caused, everyone deserves to be forgiven without terms and conditions, and because you only get one life and one family to treasure and nurture, make sure you do that.
Until next week, look out for one another and stay safe and healthy …
