Present Life

It has been decided that we are not inclined to start a second life, we enjoy or present life.

Summer Secrets -- A Poem

Fall whispers secrets that summer held so dear.

Leaves fall
Nests abandoned
Grass dries and falls away
Deer paths temporary walking trails

Winter white paints a fresh canvas
Deer come out in search of food
Cardinal sings his song, a reminder of winter’s temporary hold
Feathers bright and hopeful against the white canvas

Spring gains her strength from winter’s rest
From apparent death Spring is life and breath
Grass begins to grow
Trees begin to bud
Birds come back to their summer home
Fly, sing and chirp
The canopy alive with life and song
Buds turn to leaves
Deer paths hidden in new growth

Springs bursts with enthusiasm giving way to summer
Secrets held dear

Through seasons cycles
See
Learn
Know the secrets
Summer lets you in

Mother robin in her nest
Red-winged blackbird calls
Protecting what is yet to be
Orioles, orange flashes in the trees

Secrets revealed any time of year
Past, present, future
Moment by moment
Wandering feet, Curious mind
Open heart

by Sarah Tobias (c) 2008

Fluke -- A Whale Tale

This female whale was seen in the waters off of Hervey Bay, Australia. She is a mother and her calf is diving next to her on the left. This bay is a resting spot for humpback whales while they travel South to their feeding grounds. The research that the Pacific Whale Foundation does in Australia, has shown that the whale will often come into the bay and "hang out" for three to five days. During this time the mothers spend a lot of time training and feeding their calves. They are often seen breeching, fin slapping, and spy hopping over and over again.

Cardinal versus Downy

While there were four bird feeders and another suet feeder nearby, this cardinal did not feel like sharing with the Downy woodpecker.

Fear

What are we afraid of? Marcus Buckingham disseminates the Human Universals down to five in his book The One Thing You Need to Know . . . About Great Managing, Great Leading, and Sustained Individual Success. He also states the need we have to counter that fear. They are:
The Fear of Death (our own and our family's) or the Need for Security.
The Fear of the Outsider or the Need for Community.
The Fear of the Future or the Need for Clarity.
The Fear of Chaos or the Need for Authority.
The Fear of Insignificance or the Need for Respect.
These "Universals" are not ideas based on one set of cultures, but they come from the studies of many cultures including groups of people in non-industrialized societies. These answers come from research published in Human Universals by Donald E. Brown in 1991.
I wonder if we took the time to look at these universals when we feel so adamantly for or against something if we could see what fear or need is in play and then make adjustments to resolve it.
I posed the question, What would happen if we did not charge fines to people who brought their materials back late?, to my Departments Heads. The fear of chaos raised its ugly head. I suspect even more that my asking the question gave them a sense that there was no authority at work either. Their reaction was how can you even suggest that we not have authority over the people. It doesn't matter that a 10¢ a day fine does nothing to actually motivate people to bring materials back.
So, if I had come to them with a change and all of the procedures, policies, and forethought in place, would they have been more accepting or would the need for respect take over and a new set of arguments come into play?