Some nature lessons from angels make more of a lasting impression and pop up when inspiration is needed. In looking back, I fondly recall a powerful lesson from a squirrel on commitment. It happened while living on the farm in Virginia Beach. I was sitting on the sofa talking on the phone when I heard a loud thud. A huge walnut had dropped from the cottage roof and hit the deck, followed by an eager squirrel. My digital camera was beside me on the table.
Usually a bushy-tailed squirrel's bounty is a mere acorn, but this was an amazing exception. The green walnut was the biggest I'd seen, way too big to transport in his mouth. I watched him struggle to find a way to carry away his over-sized prize. Below he's trying his best to straddle it with his paws like a large green soccer ball.
When that didn't work, he switched to Plan B. Before long, his determination paid off. He managed to do what seemed impossible. Somehow he wrapped his mouth around the nut and flew as fast as his little legs would carry him toward the old apple tree. 
When he couldn't hold on much longer, he made a giant leap through the air, and landed on a spindly apple tree limb that bounced the big green walnut right out of his mouth.
The headstrong squirrel seemed satisfied that he'd gone the distance. Now, his prize could be buried in the yard, safe for another day. His enthusiasm was impressive, and I thanked him for the lesson on not quitting when things seem impossible. God will make a way.
Such a determination reminded of the poem by N.W. Murray on the Scottish Himalayan Expedition in 1951.
Commitment
Until one is committed
there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back,
always ineffectiveness.
Concerning all acts of initiative and creation
there is one elementary truth,
the ignorance of which kills countless ideas
and splendid plans
and the moment one definitely commits oneself,
then Providence moves too.
that otherwise would never have occurred.
A whole stream of events issue from the decision
raising in one's favor all manner of
unforeseen incidents and meetings
and material assistance.
would have come his way.
I have learned a deep respect
for one of Goethe's couplets:
"Whatever you can do, or dream you can...begin it.
Boldness has genius, power and magic in it."
A powerful reminder to take to heart . . . "and the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too."
Have a blessed weekend.
Love and peace,
Rae Karen
