November Gratitude Diaries Post #5: Owl

“Rejoicing in ordinary things is not sentimental or trite. It actually takes guts. Each time we drop our complaints and allow everyday good fortune to inspire us, we enter the warrior's world.” *

As captured insufficiently by my iPhone, the Barred Owl with whom I shared a moment....

Yesterday, walking with an inspiring friend, we stopped at every other amazing tree to appreciate each one’s autumn colors (the auburn oak, the orange tie-dye flaming japanese maple, and my favorite: the butter yellow ginkgo with her chanterelle-shaped leaves). As I drove away, the fluttering of giant wings above the road caught my eye and I pulled over. It was this amazing Barred Owl. We stood and looked in each others eyes (his/hers with beautiful circular arches, a funny white mustache just like the guy on the Pringles can, and streaks of brown and cream feathers down his/her chest). The owl blinked and rotated its amazing head and showed me all its tricks. I always feel like seeing such things is important and that I should stand witness for as long as I possibly can. I tried to let the owl’s wisdom and fierceness and beauty seep into me. I guess that owls are actually common in the Pacific Northwest where I live. But today I am so grateful for such ordinary things...

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*​― Pema Chödrön, The Places That Scare You: A Guide to Fearlessness in Difficult Times