Soar Like An Eagle

On the way to church Sunday morning I saw a man on a bicycle cross the road in front of me not too far ahead and turn onto a side street. Only thing I thought was how foolish it was to cross where he did, when he did, and how dangerous. I was too busy thinking critically of the man to notice what my wife did. When she told me I was amazed.
The man had no legs. Only prosthetic. He was a double amputee and he was out in the cold of the morning going where he had to go. I have no idea where he was going but all my critical spirit and thoughts melted away into this post idea. Here is a man who has no legs, it is freezing cold out, and he is bicycling. Whatever it is he needed he did not let his circumstances stop him from going after it.
Hold that thought.

The Majesty of it All

On the way home I continued this frame of thinking. It was cold, a touch of freezing rain had begun to blast the windshield of our SUV, and the wind was making me have to readjust to straight from time to time.
On this particular stretch of road, River Road it is called, there is of course a river that runs all along the side of the road for miles. Often on that road we would see an eagle standing dominantly on a sand bar in the river. Or an ice bar this time of year. He is normally just standing there and it is not clear if he is resting, fishing, or scanning the sky for his next dinner. But what is clear is that they are territorial birds.

In this storm on that particular day I mention the eagle. "I wonder if the eagle is nestled somewhere waiting out the storm." Then I thought and said, "No he is probably flying high above the storm, untouched and unmolested by the ice and high wind."
The eagle is an incredibly majestic bird. From the things i have read and heard about their habits, they are amazing. But this post is not really about the bird. Only in a round about way. It is a metaphor for when storms in our lives come.

When Storms Come

Often when storms come we retreat. We find a place to get nestled down where we can feel safe. Where it is warm and comfortable. But success never really comes through being comfortable. It comes through stepping out of our comfort zone. When storms come take every opportunity to learn from them. To learn how to fly on wings as eagles do. Far above the cold and wind of the storm. Now we cannot literally do that. We cannot fly. But we can adopt a frame of thinking that allows us, in our mind and in our spirit, to soar.
It is inevitable that storms will come. They always do. But it is in how we respond to the storms that will determine if we soar or if we sink. If we soar or retreat to someplace safe.
The cyclist had his storms no doubt. But as I think about the way he glided across that street and casually and gracefully sailed toward another direction. I am amazed.

Soar Like an Eagle

What about you? What is your response when storms come? How do you respond when the way is uncertain or difficult? Well I know the answer in part. I know because you are here. You are learning a new skill and growing wings. You are beginning to understand how to fly with the most majestic of birds.
There will be difficulty in your online journey. There will be struggles. Know that they will only serve to make you stronger. If your legs have been yanked out from under you (as they sometimes are - it is sometimes what others do); if your legs have been yanked out from under you, do not give up. You can find another means of getting where you want to go. You can stand tall and continue to progress. You do not have to be knocked back or knocked down, you can see it as opportunity knocking. An opportunity to grow and get stronger.
Your stiffest competition will always ex[exploit your most obvious weaknesses. Use that as an occasion to strengthen those very areas in which you are weak. If not you let the bully win. Keep pushing on. Fight the good fight. Keep peddling onward. And soar like an eagle!Let

Let Me Help

My life's goal is to encourage and inspire others. To build lasting and mutually beneficial relationships both in person and online. If there is something that has you down or that is beating upon you. If there are things that cause you to want to give up and retreat. Don't do it. Reach out to me and let me help. If all I have to offer is encouragement then it is something. But I have ideas too. Two minds are better than one they say. So reach out to me and let me help. I cannot promise you answers but I can promise you this, I will never betray your trust. I will never give up trying to help.
You may be good. In a good place and not needing help. But surely this must have encouraged you or inspired you in some way. Or perhaps you have something further to add to intensify the inspiration to others here. Comment below. I would love to hear from you. Even if it is to say, "Wow! That cyclist is going to go far!" Talk to you soon.
Kind regards always,
Dancing Carl