Reoccurring Themes

Over on Julie's blog, from time to time, there is discussion of reoccurring themes and that we should be mindful of them.

Last weekend as we were checking out a rocket launch site I saw a black bird with a red spot on its wing.  A shoulder decoration if you would.  I had never seen anything like that before and I was in awe. It was very striking.

Yesterday I took an odd route home.  I had to pick up non-marking sandals for the boat or I'd be swabbing the deck for my whole vacation and who wants to do that? ;)  The route I chose took me out of my way, but given the time of night and traffic, it made sense.  It was the same way I used to take home when I was taking care of my dad. So 3-4 times a week for 6 years that equals a lot of driving under this particular freeway overpass.  Here they decorate them with items from the surrounding area.  Sea gulls, cat-tails and what the freak??? I looked over and there was my red winged black bird.  I had never seen it before. Ever. 

That's twice now, but what message could be found in a red winged black bird?

 So I read up on the bird to see if there was a message I could take to heart.  Apparently the glossy-black males have the ability to puff up their scarlet and yellow shoulder patches or they can hide them depending on how confident they are feeling.

The last little bit with my story I can totally identify with the black bird hiding his shoulder patches.  Every thing seemed a struggle and I was not at all confident. However, I've muddled through the rough patch. Things are finally starting to take shape and the story is beginning to 'pop' for me once more. 

So what message is there? 

Looking at the bird and knowing how taken I was when I saw him in the field you might think that it would be, "If you got it flaunt it."  Instead I think I'll take away the comfort of knowing that there are times to shine and times when you don't, and there is nothing wrong with that.  Either way, you're still a bird.