Look Alive Folks

"You guard against decay, in general, and stagnation, by moving, by continuing to move." - Mary Daly

A few years back we encountered a couple of nesting Turkey Buzzards outside my office building. Interestingly, they wandered around our first floor window, taking a moment every now and then to peck at their reflection in the window.

These birds are also known in some areas as Turkey Vultures. They are part grand, part (pardon the expression) ugly looking to put it simply. Being a scavenger bird, they feed primarily on carrion, which is just a nice word to describe dead things.

Part of natures cycle of life.

Buzzards feed upon those things you see along our roadways and elsewhere. Which means they have their place in the grander scheme of life. Yet watching them sit and stare, waiting for the living to stop is fascinating. Sitting with patience and determination looking for an opportunity to pounce upon and feed.

In a certain sense, life can have the same effect.

When we stop moving forward and become motionless in living life itself, does nature view us in the same manner? Weeds and vines will begin to circle our feet and legs, starting a process of encircling our very existence. Soon we will struggle to even move from the place we sit, motionless; almost lifeless.

The buzzards in life, the mean and black-hearted people who do exist will remain patient. Waiting and waiting for the moment to pounce upon anything you hold onto. They will steal those last bits of hope or dreams you keep inside.

The circle of life waiting for the next moment.

Yet there is always an opportunity to break free from the binding of vines. Unbinding ourselves from those things we allow to hold us back. In doing so we can move forward and ward off the buzzards circling overhead.

One small movement towards a small piece of hope can cut us free.

With one step forward the strength will begin to build. Another vine broken and the other leg breaks free. Two steps towards something greater. Your movement will disinterest the buzzards for they only look for the motionless. The birds will move on to look for other potential carrion.

Your sky will become clear as will the destination. So look alive when you see the turkey buzzards staring at you. There is a lot of living to do and not living it is for the birds.

Stay inspired my friends!

Keep The Wheel In Motion

"We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we're curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths." ~Walt Disney

Can you believe it, January is half over and the ringing of the new year bells are fading. The hangover has likely subsided and work or school returned to fill your days.

Resolutions made for the new year on December 31 are still fresh in your mind. You are probably still loyal to the promises made to yourself. Heading each morning or evening to the gym, working off those ten pounds. Maybe you are reading a new book and watching less television. One less beer or bowl of ice cream each day is still doable.

But will you keep moving forward with those resolutions as the year goes? Will you be true to yourself and make those changes promised?

It is easy at this point. Only half a month has transpired, barely a few breaths of the new year. Life hasn't come in quite yet and tried to interfere with your plans. But you know life will try to get in your way, life will try to throw you off course.

What I encourage you to do though is keep the wheel of your life moving. Keep pushing forward with your plans. You have started building momentum and the hills will approach. Momentum will get you over those times and with each success it gets easier.

You have an amazing year ahead of you, full of change, full of new adventure, full of greatness. Keep moving forward, keep the curiosity of your success pulling you to the next level. Pretty soon it will be December 31 and you'll be fondly thinking of a great year gone by. But you will also be jumping with excitement for what's to come next.