It was an unusually warm February morning, so I decided to take my two littles to the park. As one was swinging and the other sliding, I took a moment to breathe in my environment. The sweetest bird song rang in my ear, and I followed the melody to the top of a nearby tree. He was a pretty nondescript little thing – grey with hints of blue and white around his neck…nothing that would have ordinarily caught my eye. As the breeze caressed my cheek and fluffy clouds rolled above me, I paused to study each melodious note uttered by the feathered creature. He sang loudly with his head tilted to the sky, each note crisp, sharp & beautiful. Then he stopped and turned his head as if to listen. Curious, I followed suit. It was then that I noticed that the song never stopped. The melody was carried on by another bird, not 50 feet away, at the top of a different tree. After a short while, my bird began to sing again. This time, though, it was different. Just as beautiful, but there was a change in the melody. And again, he stopped and listened. When he continued his song this time, my awareness had expanded – my mind had opened to this avian symphony. And the beautiful truth was laid bare. There never was a singular bird song. All along, it was a complex symphony of many different birds singing their very own songs. But they intertwined so beautifully, so seamlessly, it was as if they were all working together – each adding their own personal touch – to create something incredible that none of them could have accomplished on their own. Each song had it’s own rhythm, it’s own melody, it’s own complex riffs and varying pauses. But each beautiful, melodious thread combined with the others to create a beautiful tapestry of sound that blanketed the air around me. Some birds were in trees with no leaves, others were in evergreens. Some were on lamp posts, others were on power lines. But one thing was sure…I never saw a bird singing from the ground. No matter their immediate location, they found the highest point that they could reach and sang their song proudly.

So, I challenge you, as I challenge myself. Find your song and sing it proudly. Go to the highest peak that you can manage and let the world hear your beautiful gift. Your surroundings may not be ideal, but do the very best you can with what you’ve got. And once you’ve begun to share your song, take a moment to pause and appreciate the songs of those around you. Listen intently, learn from them. Then sing again. And the big picture will show that you were indeed a vital part of this beautiful tapestry called life.

Live in Love,
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