inspiration is everywhere!

A little while ago, I was sitting in my family room looking out upon my second-level deck. I was writing for several hours until my eyes blurred so much it was time to take a break, so I retired to my comfy couch for a while. I so enjoy looking out upon my deck. Every year, I try to make it look as much like a jungle as possible because I love plants. I think I acquired that from my mom, who planted flowers all around our house. I’ll never forget taking her to the conservatory on the mall in Washington, D.C. She was enthralled with the display of Orchids. To her, they were a wonder and gift of the Creator.

I also love certain birds, namely Hummingbirds. These tiny creatures are one of God’s wonders. How do you flap your wings so fast?  It’s no wonder they love sugar water.

I’ve tried to attract these amazing little creatures with two bright red feeders for the past two years.  This year, I carefully placed the banquet devices on hooks hanging from the edge of my deck at just the right time. Then I waited . . . and waited . . . and waited.  I’ve only seen three visits to my Hummingbird buffet all summer!  What’s up with that?

I am told that this area has experienced a Hummingbird draught in 2021. That’s disappointing. I just spent several days on the front porch of a house in Idaho Springs, Colorado, where three feeders hosted several customers all day long.  I could literally reach out and touch these wonderful little animals if they were not so fast. How does a tiny little bird like that fly all the way to Central America each year? Sometimes I have trouble walking three blocks!  These creatures inspire me. Well, maybe I’ll have better luck next year.

Meanwhile, there are other wonders to enjoy from my windows.  Yesterday, I got to observe the leftovers of a tropical storm pass by. Wow, so much rain, so quickly!  I’ve always liked to watch storms. In the Hoosier state, they were common.

I often sit on my sofa and watch the glimmering leaves of the River Birch just outside my window. There’s also a crazy squirrel that runs across my neighbors’ fence and then performs acrobatics in our maple trees. How’s come God’s creators have so much energy?

Perhaps that is why I like bears too. Like me, they just lumber around looking for something to eat. Tough life! Since they are at the top of the food chain, nobody bothers them. What a life. Bears are cool. Nobody bothers me much either. Is that some kind of sign?

So, I endured or enjoyed a cardioversion procedure on Monday. It’s really not a big deal, and the experience always offers opportunities to get to know some fantastic people. Most people who work in hospitals genuinely care about people. Why else would you be willing to see what you see and put up with people’s crap so often?  I’ve done this so many times that the nurses in the procedure room remember me. What a way to make new friends!  Perhaps I should start a dating App for this niche. Thankfully, the shock worked for me. Afterward, I had a fantastic breakfast at the Hershey Pantry. I highly recommend it.

As I was lying in the staging room wearing my beautiful hospital gown, my daughter, who accompanied her ole dad, gave me a card from one of my granddaughters. She drew smiley faces and “Hope you feel better soon,” pictures on the cover, and then some verse inside. She wrote some awesome kid stuff in three paragraphs and ended with, “Here is some advice, think of the beach,” accompanied by drawings of said beach. The card was so moving.

But the best line I shared with all the nurses and the doctor performing my procedure was, “I hope you can have a great recovery because I know that this is going to hurt like crap but, remember that I am praying for you, and I love you.” How incredible is that?!

The doctor assured me that the shock was not going to “hurt like crap,” because I would be in deep slumber.  I still belly laugh every time I read the card.

Allow me to explain an important axiom.  Inspiration is everywhere, and you need this secret formula to keep moving forward in life. Open your eyes. It’s in your backyard. The trees and flowers proclaim it. Birds and squirrels reveal the mystery. The breath of life is even found in a storm. The elixir is evident throughout hospitals. The breath of life is in the faces of your friends and family.

Inspiration is the root of all progress, and the remarkable fact is that it exists all around you. Open your eyes in every situation, and you will behold the marvelous wonders of God that will spur you forward to your future.

Live Inspired!

Don Mark