Life... existence vs. living!

As I was leaving work today, I saw a flash of red and white to my left that had no business being there. It caused me to stop my Jeep and take a second look.


What I saw was a small little head sticking out of a hole in a tree. It was more than likely an Acorn Woodpecker chick, but not seeing the full body/back, I couldn't tell for sure. Blood red, snow white, and a black so deep and rich... set against the browns, greys, and yellows of the Pinon Pine Tree...


I needed to be there... I needed to see this!


Luckily, I had my camera with me and was able to take a picture. Eventually I will try to upload it to this post. (UPDATE: Picture uploaded 03/05/09)

I sat there, in my car, window down, camera in hand for several minutes. All I was thinking about was the simplicity of the situation. Something so bold and striking, set against something fairly common and actually drab...


It was the perfect metaphor for life!


Each of us, every single being... we are all unique... individual... different... yet, we are all interacting and existing in something that is common to all of us. In each of us, there is something special and eye-catching... yet more often than not, the majority of people just see the drab surroundings around us, barely noticing...


What about that? How many people just go about there business, not seeing? Not experiencing? Not living... just existing?


Existence, in my opinion and from personnal experience, is an excuse for avoiding life!


Life is meant to be lived. Yes, it can be painful sometimes! But the pain one feels is minor compared to the joy and elation one feels when they actually live their life!


I have experienced pain. My pain has been physical, emotional, and spiritual. But this pain has helped to remind me that I am human, and that I am alive! The secret to getting through the pain is to just experience it, trust in others, and have a little faith!

Your body responds to pain (and other situations) with a "flight or fight" response. Medically speaking, your sympathetic nervous system kicks on and it gets you through it. Eventually, the adrenaline wears off, the endorphins (the body's natural pain killers) wear off, and one begins to feel real, actual pain. This is when friends become important!

Friends support you, they care about and for you, they are there for you and provide for you. They help you, they ask about you, they check on you. You have to trust them! You are disabled in someway, and you need to rely on them in someway.

So for those that are in a particular place right now...

Have faith! There are people in this world that love you and care for you! There are people that are concerned and are willing to help. There are people that will tend to your wounds, listen to you, hold your hand, and just be there for you!

It's ultimately your choice...

You have to let them in...