The Mountain Lion, The
Woodpecker, The Family of Foxes
and The White Hawk …
and, of course …The Gorilla
written by
Jeannette
Zink
I did not
expect my year of 2016 to end on such a pleasant note, nor begin 2017 of equal cheer,
given the wild adventures that took hold and refused to loosen their
lumberjack’s grip on this most exhilarating past year. In fact, as I think back
on the eclectic 365-day calendar and don my Ray-Ban
shades to shield the imaginative glare from the rambunctious year, my thoughts
turn to the genre of mythology and to legends woven into the mystical stories
told in books of folklore. These my literary compass for enlightenment and the milieu
for rationalizing societal accommodations for a game known as survival of the fittest. The gods of
myth and folklore seem to know just the right bell to jingle to set in motion a
swirl of hidden messages, clues as it were, to guide wandering souls to their
intended trek. These clues may not always be apparent and the mode of their
delivery may be as mysterious and slow-moving as the travels on the famed
Orient Express; but keeping our wits, the light ultimately shines on the
answers we seek. It is only of late that I have begun to translate reason out
of clues sent to me in the form of wildlife … maybe an animal will cross my
path in a conversation, perhaps a sighting, even while exploring real estate
options, or claim stake to winter residence in my backyard shed. Each sent to
deliver a message. Bravely, I open the mailbox of discovery with an open mind
and loving heart, seeking the knowledge awaiting within.
For example,
I recently learned of mountain lions and
bobcats roaming amongst the comforts of the human landscape. Scary as that
seems on the surface, I decided to explore the mythological call of the wild,
and discovered that mountain lions carry themselves with the characteristics of
grace and power, and hold a positon
worthy of sacred by the Native American
Cherokee. This beauty of lions is adaptable and a generalist species; yet,
secretive and largely solitary by nature -- preferring to avoid humans. They
dine on big creatures -- deer and livestock – or, the smaller -- insects and
rodents. Their living conditions may be in the underbrush and rocky terrain, or
in the wide-open environment. In a word, flexibility
is the tune that this wildcat dances to as it zigzags through life’s daily
escapade.
While I may
fear this mighty lion of grace and beauty if ever we were to cross a common
path on our individual hot pursuit of one
life to live so make the best of it
trail, I would bow in awe to the mythological position garnered by the specie. The
drum of fear calmed by the attributes we all aspire to exhibit during our
weakest of moments … grace and power. It may be said the mountain lion or bobcat did
indeed roam midst the humankind as we found the strength to stand tall with
grace and empowerment during our times of fear and uncertainty this past year.
I take this message delivered by such a beautiful creature, and will begin to build
a strong foundation to support the graceful and flexible walls of my evolving
goals and dreams. Thank you, mountain lion and bobcat, for crossing my mental
yard of awareness…now, go and play nicely in your own backyard.
Next up, the
woodpecker. Spring would not be
complete if it were not for this noisy little bird seeking with determination
the next goal to be met, the ambition to drill
to the other side, and utilizing every ounce of inexhaustible energy to create
a beautiful work of art out of an old piece of dead wood.
The word
“peck” does not quite fit the descriptive lexicon for the eardrum shattering
jackhammer drill imitation I hear outside my window on a lovely spring morning.
The neighborhood woodpecker is on the scene, and fast at work building an
elegant home worthy of the cover issue to Architectural
Digest; or, perhaps in pursuit of a delicious appetizer for the dinner hour.
Once the perfect circle has been “pecked” through to each side of the chosen
hollow dead piece of wood, a sense of calm is restored to our acoustic
environment. We are now free to return to our lower audible frequency levels of
daily lives with a sense relief that the woodpecker has completed their
intended task with success.
I was ready
to move on – let woodpeckers do their thing. I simply resign to wear ear plugs
until such time that the woodpecker has accomplished their deed. But, then I
started to consider exactly what the “deed” was all about for this little
pin-pointed bill of a bird. They are risking life and limbs to drill a hole in
wood to find food and make a home for their family. Think about the headache
they must have at the end of a day of wood drilling! Their little toes must
need a serious massage after hanging on for dear life to the tree bark as they
peck away at a determined hole. Pain and exhaustion be damn, persistence is the woodpecker’s middle
name, and they will not stop until the job is done! Never give up until you
have accomplished your mission is the woodpecker’s mantra. And, that my kindred
spirits, is my adopted mantra … even when it feels like I am batting my head
(bill) against brick walls … remember the woodpecker, never give up and drill
on!!!
My backyard
is a wellspring for wildlife preservation during the bitter winter months. I
should really be more specific – the shed in my backyard – is the preserving
source for a family of foxes. The
fox family has enjoyed the protective nature of the shed for the past few
years. It seems that the time for birthing and the winter season coincide with
this family, and they now know where I keep the secret key to my shed. I look
forward to the sighting of this family each winter. Anticipate with sheer
delight, the frolicking display of affection of their young, as each gingerly
come out from under the shed to play in the fading snow and dance with the early
spring appearance of daffodils. The cycle of life knows its way to my backyard,
and I am grateful for its perennial warming during the cold winter months. Don’t forget to put the key back in its
secret place, little foxes … it will be waiting for your winter sojourn.
White Hawk Up … I am in search of a new place to
call home for those tranquil days (years) of retirement. The residence that will support
my joie de vivre (joy of living) and yet
not a burden for those times when I travel the world of vagabond. This place to
house my jovial tomorrows is gradually beginning to find logistical definition,
and the square footage necessary to accommodate frequent visits with my loving
family plus the architect to buoy the artist and writer in my soul. It is as if
my first DRAFT is taking shape!
And, then …
without notice nor the slightest bit of commotion, a white hawk recently came floating on mythological wings to focus my
attention of a real estate development that spoke in a rhythm familiar to
longings meticulously listed on my musing wish list. In mythology, the white
hawk -- spirit animal with the power of observation – directs us to study a situation
before taking any action; and, then take discerned action, when the time is
right.
My white
hawk messenger arrived, message received by the student, and the gods of
observation now cast their focus in a pool of potential answers for my tomorrow’s
joie de vivre. Thank you, white hawk,
for the gentle nudge on to a steady path of possibilities, each revealing
answers deserving of deliberate action ... when the time is right.
Before I say
good-bye to this glorious first day of the 2017 New Year, I want to thank each human
and animal that took the time to drift my way in 2016, and for the messages each
graciously delivered to my mental mailbox. I cherish your caring hearts and pay
homage to the messages you have shared with me.
While I am
sure at times during this New Year, we will find ourselves faced with those big
hairy gorilla road bumps, I am
confident that we will pick ourselves up and together we will move forward … no
matter the size of the gorilla that dare to cross our path!
My kindred
spirits … remember the past with the amber glow of experience and look forward
to the future with the gorilla
strength of love and peace.
Joie de vivre in 2017 and for a lifetime!!!
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