Staying Busy

 
As a 'doer' it is sometimes hard to sit back and watch others 'do.' The trust it takes to let others do their jobs, or take care of their responsibilities comes from deep inside the person watching. It not only works with adults, it works with children.

There are many ways to accomplish the same task. If one of them is the way we would do it, we usually call that 'the right way' without thinking what this does to others around us. In their minds, they have a solution plotted. Talking through the 'doers' solution usually will set the watcher's mind at ease --- especially if the 'watcher' is also the 'listnener.'

Use time today to be a watcher and listener and see if the world around you can really get things done without always doing them your way.

Cute, Aren't they?

 

I was at the zoo when a family of geese came walking by, minding their own business. Mom was leading the little family and Dad was staying between me and his family. He watched me for a while and I worked my camera as quickly as I could.

It was interesting because Mom did not necessarily do things the easy way. I wondered how she was going to get her family across a wire cable that was strung across her path. As I watched, she bent over and went under the cable, although she probably could have walked over it as easily. Each of her goslings did just like she did: walked under the cable.

Dad was doing his best to stay between me and his family: protecting them for all he was worth. He and I did ok until I really wanted to get close (like 3 feet!) - and then he hissed and stretched his neck out. I understood his warning and decided not to see if he would attack me...can you imagine - photographer attacked by goose!

How many times do we ignore the obvious warnings we are given? It is hard to listen, especially if the warning is about something that you want really badly...like I wanted the picture of the goslings. The consequences of not listening can often be earth-shattering. I still got a really cute picture and I stayed within the bounds that the Dad has set.

Joy doesn't always come in the form of going beyond the limits that others set, but sometimes in the enjoyment of living within the rules that everyone can enjoy (that's what zoom lenses are for!!)

Thoughts for Easter

 

I thought about the beauty of the peacock and the wonder as I was able to take so many pictures of them with their tails open yesterday. It is Spring and it is Easter. A search of the internet found no link between Easter and the peacock. I am not even going to pretend that I can come up with one. This was just one of my favorite pictures from yesterday's outing.

Easter as a Holy Day is a wonder for all to behold. One man gave his life freely for all mankind. In return he was resurrected as the example for each of us to work for. Though we don't offer our lives, we can offer all that we have to better those around us.

Saying this and doing this are hard. Imagine how hard it would have been to see the evil of the world, yet know that you were going to be asked to give up your very life so that they might have a chance at eternal life.

Is it hard watching as some around do not 'earn' what they have. They depend on public or church services for what they have. Am I no different? Do I not have to depend on a man who died almost 2000 years ago for my eternal salvation? After all my sins, how can I say I have earned the precious gift of eternal life and the resurrection that he as promised?

The peacock is a reminder of my own arrogance. His feathers are elegant and he struts around drawing all eyes to himself. When focusing on the things of the world, we can not focus on the things of God (not original, but still true).

May your Easter find you trying to focus on the things of God.

The first of many, I hope

I learned a lot growing up, although I didn't realize it at the time. Unfortunately, what I learned I didn't practice. I wonder if I do now. It is amazing what opportunities we are given throughout our lives, and just how quickly those lifes seem to pass.

I'll see how this goes, but I want to share a little everyday and maybe someday the information will be valuable to me...because I don't always seem to learn.