Take a look at the picture above. What seems to be the problem? We can see that the bird has the choice to easily fly away through the large, open spaces in the “cage,” but it chooses to focus on the two bars that are close together (which it can’t fly through).
This is the reality of many people, especially in middle school. We get so caught up in all of the stressful aspects of our lives that we end up being like the bird- but there are so many beautiful and positive things that are greater than that negative speck in our day. At some point, we’ve all been the bird in the cage, and that’s okay. It’s normal to feel like all the negative problems in our life are like a cage around us that bind us to negativity.
In fact, some negative things that can bind us to our cages can be friends acting strange, a poor grade on a test, or a bad day at school. However, in order to fly out of our cages, we can take a different approach. Instead of focusing on the negative parts of our day, we can give ourselves energy to fly out of the cage.
For example, instead of berating ourselves over a bad grade on a test, we can change our thinking. (e.g “I got a poor grade on a test, but that’s okay. Next time, I will try harder and change my strategy and technique when I’m tackling a test in a tough subject.) It can also help to remind ourselves of what we’ve achieved so far- that can act as a boost for our wings to fly.
Also, daily affirmations can help with internally boosting our confidence, helping us fly out of our negativity cages. By yourself, stand in front of a mirror and tell yourself some positive things about yourself. (e.g “I had a bad day today, but a small negative speck can’t ruin all the beautiful things going on in life.”) Affirmations take time to take effect, just how it takes time to build confidence to fly out of our negativity cages. However, over time, the effects of reminding yourself of the positive parts of your life will become clear.
Next time you have a bad day, think of the bird in the cage. It has the choice to fly out of the cage, but it chooses to stay just because of the part of the cage it can’t fly through. You have the choice to fly out of your own negativity cage, just like the bird.