For the past eight years I’ve been asked numerous times where the name ‘Bird’ came from for our organisation.
Initially, it was because I was pondering a name whilst staring out a window when a bird flew past, and I thought, birds are free, they’re wild, they’re resilient, that might be a good name. After sitting with it for a while I realised calling a business Bird might also be a fun reclamation of the word, as it’s often used to refer to women, mostly in a derogatory way, and so powerfully owning it would be good for me, and good for women far and wide.
I’ve been happy with those stories, and they were indeed the initial thoughts when I started the organisation all those years ago.
But the other day, whilst thinking about my own journey through life, and how whenever I’ve taken leaps of faith it’s paid off, I was reminded of this poem:
“Come to edge,” he said.
“We can’t, we’re afraid!” they responded.
“Come to the edge,” he said.
“We can’t, We will fall!” they responded.
“Come to the edge,” he said.
And so they came.
And he pushed them.
And they flew.”
-Guillaume Apollinaire
And I realised, this poem is what Bird is all about.
Taking a leap off the edge is about making brave and bold changes in life. It’s about doing challenging, emotive work. It’s also about having courageous conversations and holding strong boundaries in difficult situations. It’s about owning your values and your sense of purpose. It’s about calling out psychologically unsafe behaviour.
Taking the leap and being brave is scary, but it also leads us to more aliveness, greater connection, and a deeper understanding of just how creative and resilient we can be.
Bird is here to support you to do difficult, yet brave things. We are here, knowing you can fly in whatever direction you choose to take.
With love as always, Hannah and Team Bird
Photo by Mehdi Sepehri on Unsplash