Everyday Heroes

When you think of heroes you think of policemen, firefighters, doctors, nurses, or soldiers; maybe you think of comic book heroes. Sure they all do heroic things but there are Everyday Heroes too, heroic in their own ways.

I think of the young man who has a bad knee yet walks to work everyday; the young woman that struggles to get around even with her walker, but is so proud of her independence. There is the guy that is going to spend his whole day in a wheelchair but is the first one out of bed in the morning and the older gentleman that is 20 years older than normal retirement age but would not think of missing a day of work.

I could go on forever but I think I have made my point. These people are my everyday heroes. They are heroes not because it is their job, but because it is their life and they overcome these obstacles until they are no longer thought of as obstacles. Thank you for your inspirations.

Listening to Autumn

One warm November morning I was sitting in the tea house my wife and I built. A small fire was burning in the fire pit and my two dogs were keeping me company. I’m the luckiest man I know to get to enjoy a morning like this.

While sitting here collecting my thoughts and counting the blessings of the week I realized I was not alone. Have you ever thought of the silence of the early morning? There isn’t any. Just sit and listen.

The birds chirping, whistling, and calling to each other; they sound so content. Even with winter approaching they are very happy, like just being alive is reason enough for such joy. I just saw a male cardinal; even his red feathers were loud.

There is a light breeze so you can hear the leaves of the bamboo whispering to each other. A wind chime sounds a few yards from here. The winds music from a new made instrument. One has to wonder if the notes are really so random or if the Spirit of the Wind is just that talented. Leaves fall from a few of the trees. They make a tiny crackle as they bump each other on the way to that big crashing noise they make when they hit the ground. All that noise created by one little puff of wind.

There is a small stream nearby. You can not see it through the bamboo but you can almost imagine you can by listening to the water. A small two foot waterfall feeds the stream. The sounds of the waterfall and the quiet gurgling of the water over the rocks in the stream are some of the most peaceful sounds in nature. The sound is always there, yet it is forever changing, soothing souls where ever it goes.

A train off in the distance, I wonder where it is going. I see a hawk circling in the sky. I was going to take a nap but with all this noise I want to stay awake to enjoy the show. You should take time to enjoy a good morning, not with coffee and a newspaper, but nature’s way. It will heal your soul and soothe your spirit.