Flowers in California

Flowers in California

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Venturing Out on a Rainy Day

I was out walking in the rain today.  I had a coat on and the rain wasn't much of a bother to me.  I became interested in the plight of one type of creature though and noticed that they were having, as they always do when it rains, much rougher days.

For humans, getting out of our comfort zones is supposed to be a good thing.  We can extend ourselves, grow, take on new challenges.  For worms, it's really not a good idea.  It seems they would be much better off staying in their worm homes, looking out their worm windows should they be lucky enough to have them, and accepting that staying within their usual boundaries is the best choice for them.  We know what happens when they don't do it.  I wish we could communicate the message to them.

Today I saw a robin eating something on the sidewalk.  As I got close, the robin flew away and I realized that it had been eating a still-wiggling worm.  I picked it up on a stick and put it in the grass.  I wanted to help it but doubt I made much of a difference and I may have ruined that robin's lunch.  Soon after, I saw a big worm in the middle of an alley.  One car had gone by and missed it but I don't know that its luck would hold out.  And really, it was in an alley - was there that much to see that it made the perilous journey worthwhile?

Worms that venture out and are not eaten nor involved in unfortunate accidents often do not do well either.  When the sun is shining again, we don't see them out basking in the sun, eating ice cream cones, riding bikes, or coming home with bags full of new purchases from the mall.  Rather, we see sad evidence of how their journeys ended.  It's not pleasant.

Perhaps to worms it's worth it to venture out on rainy days despite the serious problems many of them do encounter.  Maybe they have something to teach us all about taking chances and enjoying ourselves for a period of time, however short.  I don't know but I do think they should think a little harder about their rainy day travel habits.  It might work out well for birds but it often doesn't end up well for them.  I think worms have a lot to consider.

JAHD 

   

Thursday, May 16, 2013

It's Too Sad

Sometimes I read something so sad that I don't know how I can forward knowing what I have learned.  It happened a few minutes ago.  I read a story so sad and it had elements in it to which I could relate so closely.  I have said a prayer since; I hope that helps.

I want to find good, hope, the silver lining in stories, in problems, in the challenges that people face.  With some things, though, I don't see how there can be any good and I don't understand why such horrible things have to happen.  I don't understand.

We can love each other, we can care, we can try to help, we can pray, we can push for changes in our own small ways.  There will always be sadness though and people will always hurt.  I wish that life weren't that way.

JAHD