Why birds stay in one place when they can fly anywhere in the world?

I read this quote recently, and it stayed in my mind. Not because I suddenly wanted to escape somewhere, but because I met someone who is really living this idea.

A few days ago, I went to Vienna to visit the Christmas markets. It was just a short trip. And there I met a friend of my friend. It wasn't planned, just a coincidence. But what she told me made me think much more than I expected.

She has been in Vienna for five months on an internship. Alone. Far from her family, friends, and everything she knows. She told me that it's not easy – sometimes she feels homesick, sometimes she wants to pack her things and go back home. But she still stays. She keeps going, even though she is afraid. And I realized that this is real courage. Not being without fear but continuing in spite of it.

On my way home, I kept thinking about it. We all have the chance to "fly." We can go abroad, study, work, try something new. But often, the only thing stopping us is that small voice in our head that says it's safer to stay where we are.

However, personal growth happens exactly there – outside our comfort zone. When something hurts, when we miss home, when we have to rely only on ourselves.

And I truly admire everyone who does that. Not because they are better than others, but because they decided to fly.

Maybe we are not birds. But we can become like them any time we choose to overcome fear and step into the unknown.

And that, for me, is what real bravery looks like.