Don’t Let Life Steal Your Song: What Chippy the Parakeet Can Teach Us About Focus and Resilience

“What you focus on expands. What you don’t focus on shrinks.”

It’s one of those truths that sounds simple—until life pulls you into the metaphorical vacuum cleaner.

Let me tell you about Chippy, the parakeet who learned this lesson the hard way.

Chippy was happily singing in his cage one morning when his owner decided to clean up the seeds and feathers at the bottom of his home. She reached for the vacuum, inserted the nozzle into the cage, and started tidying up.

Then the phone rang.

Instinctively, she turned to answer it, still holding the vacuum hose. Before she could say more than “hello,” she heard a loud “Swwwwwppp!”

Chippy was gone—sucked right into the vacuum bag.

The woman gasped, dropped the phone, turned off the vacuum, and unzipped the bag. There was Chippy—alive but stunned, covered in dust and debris.

Panicking, she hurried him to the bathtub, turned on the faucet full blast, and rinsed him off under icy cold water. Then, wanting to help him recover quickly, she did what any caring (but overwhelmed) pet owner might do—she grabbed the hairdryer and blasted him with hot air.

Chippy survived… but he never sang again.

The Chippy Effect: When Life Knocks the Song Out of You

We’ve all experienced “Chippy moments.”

Life moves quickly—one minute you’re singing your tune, doing your best to stay focused on your purpose, and the next minute you’re caught off guard by chaos, loss, or unexpected change.

Your business might face a downturn.Maybe someone criticizes your dream. Perhaps the plan you were so confident in suddenly falls apart.

You get sucked in.

You feel washed out.

You feel blown over.

And just like Chippy, it’s easy to stop singing—to lose your spark, confidence, and focus.

But here’s the truth: your song was never meant to be silenced by circumstances.

Focus Determines Your Future

One of the first lessons I share with my coaching clients is that your focus shapes your experience.

If you concentrate on what’s missing, you’ll increase the feeling of lack.

If you concentrate on what’s possible, you’ll increase opportunity.

It’s the same principle as light and shadow—where your attention goes, energy flows.

When Chippy’s owner focused on cleaning the cage, she lost sight of what truly mattered—the bird. Many of us follow the same approach in both life and business. We get busy “cleaning up” — fixing, managing, controlling — instead of nurturing what matters most: our joy, our growth, our vision.

So, I ask you:

👉 Where is your focus right now?

👉 Are you protecting your song, or are you drowning it in noise?

The Power of Choice in the Chaos

Chippy didn’t choose his storm—but we can choose how we respond to ours. When life knocks us down, we have three choices:

1. Take Note - Observe what’s happening without judgment. Awareness is the first step to regaining control. Ask: What is this moment trying to teach me?

2. Take Hope - Refuse to let the situation determine your future. Remember, every setback has the potential to foster strength. Hope isn't denial; it’s direction.

3. Take Charge - Refocus your energy. Determine what you can control and let go of what you can’t. Taking action rebuilds confidence and momentum.

   
   

You can’t control the vacuum, but you can choose to sing again.

The Lesson Behind the Laughter

It’s easy to smile at Chippy’s misfortune, but the story reflects all of us.We live in a world full of distraction—constant noise, comparison, urgency, and busyness. Every notification, doubt, and unexpected interruption can distract us from what truly matters.

And if we’re not careful, we could wake up one day feeling like Chippy: disoriented, exhausted, and unsure if we'll ever sing again.

But your song—your passion, purpose, and potential—are still there. It’s waiting for you to silence the noise and refocus on what broadens your life: gratitude, growth, and grace.

Reclaiming Your Song

So, how do you reclaim your song after life’s vacuum moments?

• Pause before reacting. Don’t rush from one extreme to the other. Give yourself time to breathe, think, and adjust.

• Focus forward. What’s behind you is information, not who you are. Let it teach you, not trap you.

• Reconnect with what brings you joy. Whether it’s writing, serving others, creating, or simply being still—find your rhythm again.

• Ask for help. Even the most resilient leaders benefit from someone who reminds them of their own song. Coaching, community, and connection support you in rediscovering your melody more quickly.

Take Note. Take Hope. Take Charge.

Chippy doesn’t sing much anymore—but you can.

Your story doesn’t have to end in silence.Every time you choose focus over fear, growth over guilt, and faith over frustration, you reclaim a piece of your song.

Life will test you. It will shake you. It might even pull you into its whirlwind.But don’t let it steal your song.

Because when you choose to Take Note, Take Hope, and Take Charge — you’ll not only find your voice again, you’ll inspire others to sing, too.

Your Turn to Sing Again

If you’ve been feeling like Chippy lately—dusted off, blown around, or a little out of tune—let’s fix that.

I help people find their focus, rebuild their rhythm, and rediscover their spark so they can sing and soar again.

Click the link, secure a spot on my calendar, and let’s start turning your “sswwwwppp” moments into “I’m back, baby!” energy.

Get Your Song Back!