It’s not one of the Angry Birds…

In stark contrast to the bright white snow that fell without inhibition last week, the vivid red cardinals took on an even greater contrast while foraging for their breakfast, and the falling snow and cold temperatures did not seem to cause any hesitancy to their typical early morning antics through the yard.

It made me think about how these beautiful creatures appear to be unburdened by what goes on around them as they set about getting things done for the day. They’re not distracted by rain. They are out and working for a meal in the snow. When it gets cold, the fluff up their form-fitting down jacket and get moving.

They act as if their survival depends on getting what needs to be done completed regardless of the obstacles or challenges that they face each day in the process. Ok, maybe it does, but it wouldn’t kill them to take a day off now and then, would it?

They can make me feel pretty lazy sometimes; and they’re just a bird.

Amazing to think about, we humans at many times seem to demonstrate less fortitude than these birds. We get coddled into warm, cozy, and comfy and anything that upsets that balance can quickly squash our motivation and our enthusiasm.

If things are difficult we equate that into having a “bad day” for some reason.

When did we decide that life has to be easy to be good?

Remember how great it felt to beat a challenge and the tremendous sense of accomplishment that came with it?

Is a big win really a big win if there isn’t some kind of obstacle we overcome?  Doesn’t it feel so much better if we get a little dirty and struggle through something difficult to reach our intended goal?

I don’t want to let success be something just for the birds.

There is a reason that none of the great successful people I look to for inspiration found their success while watching the world go by outside their window. They live it to achieve it.

As the saying goes, “If two birds are sitting in a tree and one decides to fly away, how many birds are left sitting in the tree?”

Two.

In the picture above, one of those birds did more than just decide to fly; they actually got moving.

There’s a big difference between thinking and doing. Success requires action.  I can’t just decide to be successful and expect anything to change. Progress takes movement. Movement takes effort.

Get out of the way birds; I’m on the move.