An interesting conversation was had this morning about the migration of bobcats and black bears in this area of the state. As unbelievably exciting as it is it is also a bit of an oddity as it's not the "normal" location for such majestic, untamed animal to graze. In the last few months there have also been a growing number of coyote sightings which is also great. All summer long in Maine, especially in late spring, while laying in my sleeping bag I would enjoy the chorus of coyotes from deep within the woods, now they're growing into larger packs in Northeast Ohio. Lastly, a recent story in the paper highlighted a local man who has an alligator named Harley as a pet, which has now become a legal issue.
With all this in mind, I'd be lying if I told you it wasn't the topic of deep debate for me as I am not sure to which would win if the four faced off in a backyard brawl here in town. Think about it...
Black bears:
Although they eat mostly berries, nuts, etc. They have a keen sense of smell and color vision. Are excellent swimmers and climbers of trees. Not only are they very intelligent and curious they can reach speeds of 35 miles per hour while weighing an average of 125 to 600 pounds (the perfect created defensive linemen size and speed if you're playing Madden). Most are typically shy and easily frightened, but who knows how one would react to a being in a school yard tussle with a coyote, bobcat and alligator. (http://www.americanbear.org/blackbearfacts.htm)
Bobcats:
A cat two times larger than your typical house feline is highly adaptable, and amongst the most successful predators in North America owing to their adaptability and wide prey base. This sneaky pussycat can take down prey eight times their own weight. Stalking and ambushing thier predators, Bobcats rely on stealth to sneak up to the prey before employing their proportionately long powerful hind legs to generate great bursts of speed, reaching up to fifty kilometers an hour.Lastly, they are known to be territorial animals, graceful yet fierce predators and are revered in Native American folklore for their courage. (http://www.ofcats.com/2008/09/bobcat-facts.html)
Coyotes:
A prominent figure in Native American tales and tradition coyotes are a very savvy and clever beast. These adaptable, intuitive canines eat almost anything. They hunt rabbits, rodents, fish, frogs, and even deer. Because they sometimes kill lambs, calves, or other livestock, as well as pets, they are regarded by ranchers and farmers as destructive pests. (http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/coyote/)
Alligators:
This American alligator is 8.2 feet (female) and 11.2 feet (male) some weighing in at nearly half a ton. Armed with a strong, flat tail, 74-80 razor sharp teeth and the anger of a Spanish bull with a fire cracker up it's tuckus this domesticated dinosaur is the outsider of the crew. (http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Animals/ReptilesAmphibians/Facts/FactSheets/Americanalligator.cfm)
This will be on my mind for days. It's already consumed most of my afternoon and evening. How could it not? It could potentially happen...and here in town. Nothing cool ever happens here.
And for anyone thinking what a waste of time thinking about this fairytale fight is well all I have to say to you is your welcome for the random animal facts, just be careful when you're out in your back yard or out on a hike. All four could potentially be following you, stalking your every move because they can smell the fact that you're 1. Trespassing in their territory 2. Potentially nearing their children 3. Are someone who is so wrapped in life and no longer know how to just let your mind wander that you can't take a moment to enjoy a pointless, entertaining and educational blog post.
Until next time...
1.30.2012
Climbing life's mountains
Recently I was told to begin a blog...I'm not a fan, nor do I believe I have something promising or profound to share with the world of strangers, friends and adventurers, but I figured life's an adventure, let's give it the ol' college try.
Last week I spoke at a youth retreat out at Camp Christopher and we were talking about discipleship and living a life worth living. It wasn't until I prepared for the talk that I came to the realization that life is a lot like climbing mountain after mountain and never ceasing to stop wanting to climb higher along the path set forth for you.
Here's a bit of my talk:
Back in the spring I was faced with a time where I was challenged: professionally, personally, spiritually and in every other facet of my life. I was on my journey and quickly came across many obstacles that prohibited me from reaching my mountaintop.
I had been a Youth Minister for two year and doing great things, but after a while, and for a thousand-and-one reasons, I was beginning to feel beat down personally, professionally and spiritually. At the same time I was talking about proposing to my girlfriend. Then one day everything just began to unravel. Work got worse, so I quit. My relationship went south, and quick, so we broke up. It took months to get over her and I still struggle. My cousin was in and out of jail and rehab for an addiction to drugs and stealing. My grandfather’s health was getting worse. I was still living at home. My friends were getting great, successful jobs. Some even were beginning to get married. Everything just sucked.
Yet through all of it, I stayed humbled and passionate to overcome all of it. I prayed whenever I got scared. I met with my spiritual director regularly. It took months but I weighed all my options and made sure I was making the healthiest choices for me and I decided to do exactly what Jesus does many times in the Bible...I left the craziness of life and headed for the mountains.
I moved out to Maine and for four months and lead back packing trips in the mountains and back country of Maine and New Hampshire. I climbed a dozen mountains and backpacked hundreds of miles of trails. It was my opportunity to escape everything that happened and refocus all my energy and strengthen my relationship with God. I had remained faithful, but I also had to work on surrendering myself to His will, his plan he had for me. That was hard for me to fathom. It’s easy to want to live out our own “plan” for our lives and it’s just as easy to blame God for all that is wrong in my life, but it takes so much just to surrender yourself and say: “Lord, I am yours. I am here for you and I know that in my darkest hour you will guide me back to the trail that I am on for this journey. I surrender to you..."
...As I lived out my adventure this summer it taught me many things, but gave me time to seek out answers. Strive for so much more and keep me from living a life of fear. When I wasn’t on the trails I was helping at the high ropes course, conquering my fear of heights. I kayaked during a hurricane just to experience the rush of attacking what God’s furry had to offer, wearing a speedo, aviators and a smile. I lived a summer where I pushed my limits knowing that if I truly surrender myself to the Lord I have nothing to fear...
...Along our journey we need faith in God to stay positive, when we’re hungry we need the Eucharist, when we feel lost we need prayer. Whether we are on or off the trail we can’t do it alone, we can’t survive on our own and that’s why we must be committed to being disciples. To always know that we are here for God as he is always here for us along the way.
I still struggle with living out His plan instead of mine and I still fall on my face, but to succeed in life you need to fall and learn how to pick yourself back up. No one ever said it would be easy, but with knowledge of the Lord’s love, my trust in His plan and my faith in Him nothing will get in my way...
Until next time...
Last week I spoke at a youth retreat out at Camp Christopher and we were talking about discipleship and living a life worth living. It wasn't until I prepared for the talk that I came to the realization that life is a lot like climbing mountain after mountain and never ceasing to stop wanting to climb higher along the path set forth for you.
Here's a bit of my talk:
Back in the spring I was faced with a time where I was challenged: professionally, personally, spiritually and in every other facet of my life. I was on my journey and quickly came across many obstacles that prohibited me from reaching my mountaintop.
I had been a Youth Minister for two year and doing great things, but after a while, and for a thousand-and-one reasons, I was beginning to feel beat down personally, professionally and spiritually. At the same time I was talking about proposing to my girlfriend. Then one day everything just began to unravel. Work got worse, so I quit. My relationship went south, and quick, so we broke up. It took months to get over her and I still struggle. My cousin was in and out of jail and rehab for an addiction to drugs and stealing. My grandfather’s health was getting worse. I was still living at home. My friends were getting great, successful jobs. Some even were beginning to get married. Everything just sucked.
Yet through all of it, I stayed humbled and passionate to overcome all of it. I prayed whenever I got scared. I met with my spiritual director regularly. It took months but I weighed all my options and made sure I was making the healthiest choices for me and I decided to do exactly what Jesus does many times in the Bible...I left the craziness of life and headed for the mountains.
I moved out to Maine and for four months and lead back packing trips in the mountains and back country of Maine and New Hampshire. I climbed a dozen mountains and backpacked hundreds of miles of trails. It was my opportunity to escape everything that happened and refocus all my energy and strengthen my relationship with God. I had remained faithful, but I also had to work on surrendering myself to His will, his plan he had for me. That was hard for me to fathom. It’s easy to want to live out our own “plan” for our lives and it’s just as easy to blame God for all that is wrong in my life, but it takes so much just to surrender yourself and say: “Lord, I am yours. I am here for you and I know that in my darkest hour you will guide me back to the trail that I am on for this journey. I surrender to you..."
...As I lived out my adventure this summer it taught me many things, but gave me time to seek out answers. Strive for so much more and keep me from living a life of fear. When I wasn’t on the trails I was helping at the high ropes course, conquering my fear of heights. I kayaked during a hurricane just to experience the rush of attacking what God’s furry had to offer, wearing a speedo, aviators and a smile. I lived a summer where I pushed my limits knowing that if I truly surrender myself to the Lord I have nothing to fear...
...Along our journey we need faith in God to stay positive, when we’re hungry we need the Eucharist, when we feel lost we need prayer. Whether we are on or off the trail we can’t do it alone, we can’t survive on our own and that’s why we must be committed to being disciples. To always know that we are here for God as he is always here for us along the way.
I still struggle with living out His plan instead of mine and I still fall on my face, but to succeed in life you need to fall and learn how to pick yourself back up. No one ever said it would be easy, but with knowledge of the Lord’s love, my trust in His plan and my faith in Him nothing will get in my way...
Until next time...
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