Moments in Time

Life is all about choices. Making choices that you don't regret can be considered the rights choices, but even when the choices you make end up in regret that does not mean that they were the wrong ones - they were just stepping stones to lead you to the right one. Being comfortable with who you are and doing what you think is right defines who you are.

After a walk with my dog, I stumbled upon a poor little bird that was injured. It seemed to have either fallen from above, either hit by a killer litter bug's plastic bag or it was in the bag when it landed. But whichever it was, the poor bird was injured. It was a mental struggle as I debated internally if I should approach it to see if there was anything I could do or leave it alone and go about my business. If I left it alone, I would avoid the 'troublesomeness' that came along with it. But if I left it alone, there would be (at the back of my conscience) a nagging regret and wondering if I could have done something for it.

Finally, I decided to approach it to see if I could help it in anyway I could. Scenarios of bringing it home and nursing it back to health, even bringing it to the vet flashed in my mind as I cautiously approached it with obedient dog in tow. Surprisingly it allowed me to gingerly carry it and so I did with the intention to bring it home / find it some help.  Unfortunately before we even made it home, the little bird give a few chirps (as if to say its thanks) before it passed on. Not knowing what to do, I laid it to rest on the stone chair nearby.

I am not a doctor or vet, not even a bird lover, but the plight of the poor little bird made me want to do something, anything.  When I was younger, there were many such situations which I encountered that I wanted to do something about it, but ended up not doing anything at all (restrained by what others would say or think). Hence, I believe that I would have regretted not even taking any action at all this time. 

So sad as it is that the little bird has passed on, at least I took action on what I felt prompted to do; what I could to do to try to help it. This incident has also prompted me to start thinking (and researching) what I should do in such a situation and how I should handle it to make it better. 

The hearts of humans may all have blood flowing through them, but how we treat the living (people and animals) around us reveals the true color of our hearts. To hurt the innocent and helpless just because you are stronger only reveals how insecure you are, so much so that you hurt others just to cover your weakness thinking that it is your strength and that you are "invincible".

In life, it seems that everything has a season. Whether we like (to believe) it or not, there seems to be a season for everything. It is akin to trees and how they grow: from a seedling, to a sapling, than a tree slowly but surely being anchored to the ground with its roots. How strongly it stays rooted and how well it grows can be attributed to its external environment.

In retrospective, just as each individual understands and matures at a different pace, different tree species have different tolerances to drought and cold. Two individuals can have entirely different reactions to the same situation yet co-exist, even grow/mature (or not). But that should not be taken for granted. Trees, which tend to have the same or similar species growing in the same environment, tend to have the same reaction the the season they are preparing for and enter. However, there are much more variables when it comes to humans. One person entering a particular season in life (getting a job that is enjoyed, or wanting to get married etc...) might not be the same as another person, even though the season is the same.

Spring, Summer Autumn, and Winter - seasons that not only manifest themselves in the physical world but also metaphorically. It's bitter harsh winter when the harsh realities of life get to us, when we have no one around us, when no one cares, when we are lost and feeling insecure (worries and fears abounding) - trapped in the icy coldness (of mostly our doing) that freezes our hearts to a state of (almost) no compassion or remorse (even depression) and a refusal (or fear) to even want to understand why (to prevent from getting hurt again). Everything seems cold and bleak, harsh and forlorn. But yet, it can be a good winter when despite the circumstances (even if the whole world were to turn their backs on you, failing to understand you) there's an assurance that all will be well and turn out for your good; knowing you have a wonderful Daddy (God) looking out for you in ways that that are beyond your control or means makes that much of a difference.  

Spring time is generally good, with things going your way and you getting what you want - the flowers are in bloom and the birds are chirping; nothing can spoil your mood or deter you because you know what you want and how you want it to be. Everything seems set in its perfect place. But before you know it, summers starts to set in and it brings  along with it a whole different scenario.
 
It may be a good summer, with the sun out and about, its warmth warms your heart and you feel all warm and fuzzy - being helpful, friendly and even going the extra mile. It's also the time to be having fun meeting people and having fun. However, as summer wears on, and if you have forgotten to take the time to cool off from the heat, tensions start to raise and misunderstandings occur with tempers flaring.

As autumn approaches, things starts to cool and relations may start to be on the mend or cool off entirely. The turning of color and falling leaves an indicator of change - the good, the bad and/or the ugly.

If only life could be as predictable to which it is unfortunately not. Unlike the seasons which follow a pattern, usually the seasons that occur in our lives are not in that particular order; spring may not always be followed by summer, it can be winter or even another spring. The only indicator is autumn, of the changing of seasons, but how we react to it results in a winter or summer which is either good or bad, an enjoyable spring time or not.

Regardless of age, growing up and maturing is a fact of life, but that doesn't mean we should feel constrained or restrained by it. Age is just a number merely as an indicator of how long you have lived on this earth, not how much you have learned or understood from the 'lessons' life throws at you. Whether or not you have the courage and determination to make lemonade out of the lemons thrown at you in life, or whether you just be sour about it has nothing to do with age really. Just a matter of perspective, don't you think?