Why Do It?

Initially, I was going to blog about something completely different today. And then the thing with the pigeon happened...

After a really long and hot summer day, I found an injured pigeon in the backyard of the apartment complex I live in. I took a closer look: It was young and couldn't move. My initial response was somewhere between: "Just leave it, it will probably be fine" and "If it's severely hurt, I can't help it anyway."

I was one step from turning my back on it... from looking away... from continuing my day because I found logical excuses why I should not be required to help. 

But then I realized something: Before Jon and I started dating, friends of ours challenged whether or not it was a smart idea for us to date:  The long distance; me being a world traveler; Jon having been a party animal in the recent past; both of us just having ended relationships and trying to get our lives back in order. Believe me, we even asked ourselves if hanging out would be a good idea because I would have to go back to Germany only a few weeks after meeting. 

For both of us, it would have been easier not to take this opportunity. And only looking back, I am able to realize that this was one of the best things I have ever done - even though it did not seem logical. Nobody could have foreseen that our relationship would ever be this strong today. No guarantees. Only following our hearts.

I have learned from experience that the old saying is true: What we regret most in life are lost opportunities. You will never know "what would have happened, if..." - you can only know if you try.  Taking the opportunity, making myself vulnerable, falling in love with Jon has opened my eyes to feelings, thoughts and new opportunities I never could have imagined (more to come on those topics in future blogs).

And that is why I took heart, picked up the pigeon and brought it to the vet. I wasn't sure if he would be able to do anything, if he would send me away, or if I would have had to pay for the pigeon's treatment. I was relieved when the veterinarian accepted the bird from me and told me that he would make a decision whether he would put it to sleep or send it to a wildlife clinic for treatment. I left - again, not knowing what the outcome will be, but I sense a heavenly peace in my heart. Sometimes, it's not only about taking the opportunities that lie ahead in our lives. Sometimes, it's simply about being an opportunity for somebody else (even a pigeon).