DAY.THREE> Eagles and Emus and Bears, OH MY!

So fairly consistent day three going on here. Got back to NY at about 7am this morning after a night of driving/sleeping (yes while pulled over).. slept for about two hours but who wants to sleep on a Saturday? I know I don't!! Or so i convinced myself. Up and running by 9am headed over to a park. This wasn't an ordinary park. We were going as a group from Stony Brook for one of my closest and dearest friends birthday party. This was an "ecological preserve". I know what you're thinking - what the heck is that?? Well I'm still not too sure yet - but it is well worth the trek out east!

Isn't it cool how one park can be so hidden from man and such a well kept secret from people in community living right next to each other? If you were to be at this park I think you'd agree that this is something you can pass on!! Covering acres and acres of land, it owns to its self a hiking trail about a mile to the top of a hill that overlooks the park itself, a pool, gazebos, and even a walkthrough zoo-type situation.

I'm not a gung-ho animal preservation rights specialist by any means but I must say what they seemed to be doing here was quite spectacular. First of all, the entire park is free. From parking to pools to the zoo! Animals hurt lost or abandoned taken in and cared for. I looked at all of them big and small and that is where my lesson came from.

These creatures are God's creation! They are so beautiful. Each one unique and mystifying in it's own essence. Our presence excited some scared others. If I may draw the parallel here - if animals can do that to us, and still seem content and curious, why on earth are WE as individuals not necessarily as unique and mystifying as they? Meaning - what about me, what about you sets us apart from everybody else? What is one thing we are proud to call our own? An accomplishment? a skill set? A state of mind/being? What is it?? If we don't know it then why not?

As we walked through, we saw the goats, were drawn to the llamas, and were in awe of the bald eagle that despite some spoken beliefs, are indeed found across the states, not just new jersey. The bear was calm and the bull looked fierce. Each one had something to offer the animal world and in that, the completion became perfect. Nature took its course as each one carried out its part in doing whatever they did best.

We are meant to stand hands held high in realization of what we are. Different is new, different is good. Different needs to be done. And I'll sign off by saying that I DARE YOU to be nothing but YOURSELF today. Let's stop hiding in shadows, lurking in the darkness. Do we dare stand out? Stand out and look at what that does for you, for others... Time to be free and be a part of the perfection that is before us.