The sun sets on another day…
I watched tonight as I waited for the sunset as dozens and dozens of seagulls fought the wind and slowly moved to the north. It was funny and exciting watching them fight their way forward. It was interesting as they slowly fought against the wind, or let go and let the wind buffet them backwards, away from their goals. Some were more inventive as I watched them tack too and fro in the forceful winds and wondered how well they would fare, only to see them take a longer path, sometimes to make headway, and sometimes to roll with the wind. Those that tacked worked hard, but it seemed they moved faster and sometimes, they were far more effective even if it took longer.
I have thought a lot about life paths this weekend. Father’s day was hard as I remember my father often, and wonder how he would be in the strange world we now see around us. He and I are often the gulls that press forward, we damn the torpedoes and find a way even if it means wearing ourselves out. At least he did so long ago. I still press that envelope as so many do, there is a way to go, and it is to push forward, not back, and make a life for yourself.
There are others that fall against the wind. Battered and beaten they will accept a fate and hope for a day they can be where they set out to be. We find those people in our life all the time. They are the ones that give up easily, they let go of their dreams and settle for another dream, even if that dream is a nightmare. The word “settle” comes to mind often here, as there is not massive overwhelming positive in their lives, nor is there a negative. They are until they are not, simple and effective.
Then there are those that take the long path. Sometimes it is the right thing to do, the smart thing to do, and sometimes it gets you in the middle of nowhere in order to get somewhere. As I watched the gulls those that tacked were sometimes the most successful, and sometimes they took a beating as the wind shifted, and they were lost. Their pathway was dozens of times longer, but they found a way, it was just not a direct way. We see those people too, the ones who go with the flow but have an eventual goal. These are the masterful gulls that see more joy in the flying. This is where I want to be when I am pressing forward, and I find myself here many a time, just enjoying the ride, and seeing the goal, but finding a way that is not necessarily the way.
Sometimes that is a way in itself. Working your way to a way while enjoying the way. The first group get there directly, perhaps fastest, perhaps not, but they fight hard and may have time for more, or may not. The second loses a lot, and misses out on their goals completely. The third finds a way but perhaps enjoys the ride.
So, as the sun sets on another day, which are you? Are you giving up, finding your way, or finding the long way, but enjoying it all. Decide well for this also affects who you are in life. I suggest you do what makes you happy and makes those closest to you happy as well, then make your life awesome, no matter what.
Sleep sweet, love life, and laugh, because it is fun!