Owl Inspiring

I remember as if it was yesterday, the owl out in the field. I remember being amazed at how large it looked when it took flight, considering it was a just barn owl. I wondered what it would do next, would it hunt, sleep, would it be there again tomorrow?

It was nice to take a break from all the thoughts that otherwise were racing through mind recently. I had lost my mother, my job and seemingly my mind. I had been on a bender for at least a month and was having a hard time trying to decide if I would make it last for the rest of my life.

Everything seemed so hopeless and yet, here was this owl standing in a frozen field as if nothing else was going on in my life. Did it not care that I had all this trouble? Clearly not, because I looked out at the field the next day and there it was again! I sipped my coffee hoping it would actually help my eyes open further so I could see this owl better and lo and behold, it hopped forward as if to challenge me.

I was taken aback and then leaned forward to question the owl out loud. "Are you challenging me?" It took a step forward in agreement, so I further engaged it. "Let me tell you, I have things that I have to worry about and don't have time to mess with an owl. In response the owl said, "Oh, do you need to start drinking earlier today? Is that why you don't have time for me?"

Well, the nerve! I felt the need to just let it know. "You don't know me, nor what I do or how I feel."

"Oh yes I do," the owl chuckled. You are completely heartbroken that you lost one of your dearest friends in your mother, and you lost a job that you absolutely despised anyway. You have no idea what direction your life is going in, you're drinking is way out of control and you've been contemplating if death is easier. Well, let me tell you, it is not. You were raised to be an upstanding, independent, fiercely loyal woman. Your mother made sure of this and emphasized it your entire life and you act as if now that she is gone all of those qualities went with her. They have not, and shame on you for not honoring her memory by being slovenly drunk all the time and feeling sorry for yourself."

I know I was standing there stunned and with a scowl on my face getting ready to defend my descent into slovenly behavior and feeling sorry for myself when I realized I didn't have much of an argument. I was getting ready to spew something out of my face towards it, but it took flight. All I could muster was, "Hmph."

I walked into my office area sat myself and my coffee down and went to open my solitaire game, which had become my constant companion these past few weeks, and instead of clicking on the game, I clicked on the internet and started searching for houses. I always wanted to buy and renovate a house. I searched all through the day and night, with coffee being my drink of choice and for the first time in a long time, felt like I had purpose.

The next morning, I woke up and ran to the window to see if that owl was there but, of course, it wasn't. I inhaled deeply and poured my coffee, wishing I could thank the owl for chastising me and putting me back on track. I hadn't found a house yet, but I finally felt alive and passionate again. I looked out the window one more time and headed to the office.

It's been ten years since that owl told me about myself. I bought my new house to renovate. Of course, it was on Wise Owl Lane. Would we expect anything different? It started a passion for me, and I've been buying and selling houses ever since. I feel completely indebted to that owl even though I know the owl was never actually talking, but my inner voice was able to come forth and guide me at a time that I really, really, needed it to.

So, if you're ever feeling hopeless and wondering whether life is even worth it, do yourself the favor of talking to an owl. You never know what it might have to tell you and it might just change your life.