Common Can Still Be Interesting

Many years ago there was an ad for something or other that showed two people out hiking through a meadow. One of them stops and in a breathless voice points:

Look! There's a Red-winged Blackbird!

That is about the equivalent of standing in a New York City park and getting excited when you see pigeons. In my walks around Whitewater State Park this spring, the Red-winged Blackbird may very well rank as one of the most common of birds.

There's another one, just like the other one. [Yawn.]

We get so used to seeing some things that they no longer are unique on their own right. They become invisible. They lose their ability to inspire us, fill us with awe or even gain our attention.

Which is too bad because in reality it is the day-in and day-out events where we most often can be inspired and made more aware of the wonders of life. We ignore the green of the grass. We see green trees. Our friends and family are always there. Our co-workers are part of the job.

But how many shades of green are there while looking at just one tree, let alone a mountainside of them? What unique insight have you received in love from a family member today? Why is your best friend really your best friend? Would work be as much fun at times without that crazy co-worker's laugh?

Many of us have become so overwhelmed by so many things in life that everything becomes background noise until some BIG even breaks through. In my walks through the State park and my bike rides around the area I have seen more common things than surprising. Sure, I keep on the alert for the new and different, but the comfort of the Red-winged Blackbird is that she is still there.