Poor Birdy

I want to tell you a true story that is actually sad, but perhaps there is a learning lesson for all of us here. Today I woke up ready to get busy. My basic routine is shower, shave and Java. I had a few meetings this morning so I had to stop at a local 7-11 for my java (coffee). I pull into the parking lot, find a parking spot and begin walking to the front entrance. Just before I entered the store I noticed a bicycle rack just outside the front door. Let me explain that I have lived in Canada all of my life. You know we all live in igloos here. It is very cold this morning. On this bicycled rack is a bird, just sitting there. Upon closer inspection it appears the bird is frozen solid, while maintaining an upright posture and stuck to the bicycle rack. I might add when I looked closely at the bird, I observed that he had a pissed off look in his face. I guess I would to. Obviously there was nothing that could be done for the poor fellow so I got my Java and carried on.

As I am driving to my meeting I could not help but wonder how this bird got himself into this situation? I came to the conclusion that he must have had his mind on something else while carrying out a natural act that he has done 100’s of times over and over. I began to relate this to the way folks live their lives, day in and day out. How many times have I acted or reacted out of habit? Without really thinking about what I was doing. I know we all do this by nature. We are creatures of habit: A stranger walks up to you and looks you right in the eye and smiles…you smile back. I walk into my business meeting offering an introduction handshake…everyone reciprocates the offer. I say hello…you say hello.

What this poor bird had done is got caught up in the moment and paid the ultimate price. Einstein’s theories of ‘action and reaction’ become more apparent to me. Do we presume and assume too much? Do we walk the same walk and talk the same talk every day? And finally, is this the weakness evil doers pray upon?