Life sometimes throws us a curve and we begin to feel drab, disappointed or even depressed. I will have to admit that kind of feeling has come over me a few times in life. Usually this has come about soon after I have fouled my own nest by not doing as much, as well, as diligently, as honorably as I could have. Thankfully those incidents were kept to a minimum by my general sociability and lifestyle. My roots, upbringing, education and day to day experiences provided me with tolerance, patience and a broad portion of moderation in all things. All of this in no way explains why I have consistently been able to climb high mountains, crest major waves and been able to experience the thrills and even exultation that sometimes sweeps over my heart and soul. Just recently I discovered what has brought me these rewarding and fulfilling feelings of achievement or accomplishment.
For years I have looked inward and tried to divine those parts of my makeup that produced the life I have lived. I have looked deeply into myself for what I have done or been that would have given me all the blessings I have experienced. What was the combination of id, ego, conscious and subconscious thought, physical or mental strengths, perserverance and apptitudes and character that afforded me such a life? The deeper I dug the less likely I felt sure of my search. Something was wrong and I could not detect where I erred until I changed the direction of my attention.
Today I looked up and saw an eagle soaring almost at the cloud bottoms. It flew lazily yet purposely as it caught the updrafts that edged the clouds and helped the eagle maintain or even gain in altitude. Along with the eagle I spied a fluttering smaller bird which seemed to be a companion. The more I watched the more I realized that although the small bird had to beat its wings rapidly and seemed to struggle at times it was still up there with that eagle. I watched them for a long time and eventually the two were out of sight but still way up there, far above me. I was about to put the flight of the eagle and its friend out of my mind but something kept drawing my thoughts to them. What was it that was attracting me? Could it be? Was I discovering a truth I had long been looking for?
That was it! The answer! The little bird had shown me a great truth. If you attain great heights you must be flying with eagles. Soaring with eagles. I now realize all those feelings of self sufficiency and grand awareness came to me because I had been soaring with eagles. It was not me but those around me who have lifted me so high. Take me higher, friends. Let me soar with you. Mother always said I would be known by the friends I keep. Someday I want to be an eagle too, just like all of you.
