Cat to Eagle

Restlessness stirs deep within me. I listen but it has no sound. The tension builds as I know that in an instant I will leap. Just as a cat waits patiently, knowing that the moment will come, I am ready. I cannot see the direction or the goal but I am aware of its imminent arrival. My future is calling me. Love, do not hold me back.

As a doe in the hedge line, I have spent years avoiding any sound approaching, sure that each step bears a weapon that will pierce my heart. I nibble the fruits and twigs safe inside my thicket. On occasion, I venture out in the moonlight to the meadow with my friends. Kicking up our hooves until someone hears a snap. Then it is tails a flying and back to safety. I leave the doe behind, secure in the undergrowth of the forest. I am no longer running and hiding. I stand upright and hold my ground.

Now, I am the momma bear. My innocence is not always perceived. My intentions are simple. I protect and nurture my young by guiding them to rivers and berry patches. We travel from mountains to stream banks, always rolling and tumbling along in harmony. My strength is evident when I climb a tree for a better vantage point or defend my home from predators. I am peace loving and easy going. I will do what needs to be done when pushed into a corner. I walk empowered and confident.

When I am an eagle, my vision is expanded. The pettiness of the crows that taunt me are easily left behind. New worlds invite me as the gentle winds carry me every higher. From here, I cannot see the struggle of men. He is ever seeking to dominate his fellow man or build a grander monument. I say to him, “look up, look up, lift your eyes to the heavens.” Feel the magnificence of our world. A river of abundance flows from the Creator. Hold this in your mind and open yourself to receiving. You have created your walls that hold you. Fly with me. Release yourself. Let the currents of life guide you. You will not fall. Spinning, diving, coasting, silently landing atop the snag. Exhilaration permeates my existence.

Love, join me in my flight. Do not tether me and hold me to you. Let us dance on the wind as our cries echo through the canyon.

Soar

I am on my way home from work today and I am thinking, "I cant wait for this week to be over." This is an unusual feeling for me since I enjoy my job. It just seems like everyone has been wearing their crabby pants this week. I had more complaints and people saying I am not doing enough, than I have had in the last 4 or 5 years. The requests have been for example, "Why cant you stop people from using herbicides to control their weeds? Why cant you find a use for the old aluminum plant in Columbia Falls? Why don't you trace back all the manure being sold and find out what those cows have been eating? Why haven't you been sending me any newsletters for the past year like I wanted? (Could be because there are no apple newsletters, just a guess) Why don't you give everybody grapes to experiment with?"

I was thinking it was my Creator's way of saying, "You really need a vacation", which coincidentally starts tomorrow. Then just as I was coming up to the round-about, not a mile out of town, I saw a red tailed hawk being harassed by a tiny bird. I continued towards home and had gone about another 4 miles when over Foys Lake was an eagle being chased by a crow. Two of these scenarios within 5 minutes? Then I laughed to myself. Of course! Keep soaring! Keep flying and reaching new heights. Don't let petty comments and whiners get you down. The eagle does not turn around and attack the small bird; she does not sit and contemplate their lack of communication; she just flies off in a new direction.

Thank you, thank you for this sign. I know that I can not make everyone happy. I can just keep on putting out my best effort and allow others to say what they wish. Even by writing this blog, I have opened myself up to criticism and comment. I must be able to weather negative feedback. I am writing about my own emotions and vulnerabilities in the faith that it may make someone feel that they are not alone. Be the hawk, be the eagle. Don't take it personally. Fly!