It’s still cold

As I prepared to leave the house for the gym this morning I noticed this little guy sitting on the neighbor’s fence. I am not sure what kind of bird he is but I do know it’s rare to see birds other than crows here in Buffalo in the middle of winter. When we begin to see birds in this area it is a sure sign that spring is right around the corner. Of course with temperatures hovering at 6-degrees and flakes of snow gently falling to the ground you would be hard pressed to believe that.

I turned and watched him for a few minutes. He remained still. He was solitary. As I watched him my thoughts went to the movie, “Jonathan Livingston Seagull.” One of my favorite artists, Neil Diamond completed the soundtrack. As I sit and type this I also am listening to the soundtrack. The music is beautiful, relaxing and introspective. My thoughts stayed with the music which tells the story of a bird; a seagull, who chooses not to follow the path his kind have followed for centuries. That path is one of safety,of mediocrity, and of sameness. The metaphor is a powerful one and is consistent with so many of us and our lives. We become afraid to fly and leave the nest, to explore what is around us. We are afraid of change and thus stifle our growth.

The movie tells the story of Jonathan Livingston Seagull. Jonathan repeatedly and emphatically states his point of view to family and friends informing them that there is “more to see than the safe distance they are presently willing to fly.” I often see “Jonathan” in myself. I have a habit of repeatedly asking “Why?” or “Why not?” These questions and the subsequent answers allow me to push the limits of my boundaries, of my comfort zone. When I do question my boundaries I learn more about myself and my abilities. The equation is relatively simple; the more I learn, the more I am willing to learn and the better I become. The more proficient I become.

As I approached for a closer look he looked at me and took flight. I’ve been told I read too much into some things. If that is true then so be it. For me it is another way of pushing the limits of what is and what can be.

Don’t be afraid to question what is around you and to push the limits, the boundaries you and others have set up.