Calm in the storm

 

Seven years ago this week, Bonnie and I were hiking in Glacier National Park. At one point we took a short boat shuttle ride across a lake that connected to a hiking trail. As the boat was approaching the far bank, we saw a large mother bear and her cub along the shoreline. They seemed to notice us, and disappeared into the woods near the trailhead.
As we got off the boat to start hiking, we were more alert than usual, and I had my can of "bear spray" (a pepper-based deterrent that is usually effective) close at hand. Shortly after we started the hike, we heard a noise near the trail, and then suddenly saw our "mama bear" rise up on her hind legs in the trees about 10 yards away, staring at us for several moments before dropping back down and moving away. With camera in one hand and bear spray in the other, I quickly and instinctively snapped one of the most memorable photos of my life.
I recall being more startled than frightened at the moment this occurred. I know mother animals can be terribly protective of their young, and she seemed to be checking us out to see if we were a threat. But I really felt this was just a vigilant posture to help her avoid further contact with us. And besides, I had that can of bear spray!
I've had a few experiences in my life when I thought, "That could have turned out badly!" - but it didn't. Sometimes I didn't realize it at the moment, but in later reflection was able to see the danger or risk that I was exposed to.
The ability to be "calm in the midst of a storm" is sometimes a great blessing to us. It can come when we're oblivious to the storm - not aware of the full impact, the risk or danger presented by a situation. It can also come when we are fully aware of the challenge but confident in our ability to handle it, or in the abilities of others we depend on for help and strength.
There are many kinds of storms in life. There are dangers, challenges, threats, heartbreaks, and difficulties that come to us all. Sometimes we are overwhelmed or even terrified; but we can also learn that we have greater abilities than we think to survive the storm. And we can learn that there are resources all around us to help us get through.
I #GiveThanks for the challenges I've survived in my life, that didn't turn out as badly as they might have. I'm grateful to have learned many thing about my own abilities. And I'm especially grateful to know that there are sources of help and strength around me, and above me, to provide aid when I need it most.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Napping in public

Image
  As I get older, a good snooze now and then is a joy and a blessing. I seem to want to enjoy that blessing more frequently! Not a thing wrong with that, especially in the circumstance shown in the first photo (thanks Matthew for the photo).... As I was in a meeting earlier today, watching those seated in front, I had some flashbacks that involved others, and perhaps myself, who struggled with the particular challenge of staying awake in that setting. I remember thinking in the past, "How rude - not a very good example for a leader to doze off in front of everyone." But later I learned how hard it can be to remain alert, when very early morning meetings and a demanding schedule can wear on your ability to endure. I guess I had to "be there" to fully appreciate the struggle. Years ago I remember reading a delightful essay by BYU English professor Richard Cracroft titled "On the Vicissitudes of Serving in the Bishopric" (such a memorable title!) in which he
Read more

Nature's secret maps

Image
  On a hike in the woods earlier this week, Bonnie and I noticed there were logs set across the trail now and then, probably for erosion control. But on closer inspection, we started to realize there were patterns on the logs, and on even CLOSER inspection, we started to realize that the patterns looked like trail maps! Clearly, we decided, they were secret messages for the highly observant hikers indicating the locations of spectacular secret ancient treasures!! Of course, it became necessary to follow the pattern of a couple of the secret maps. After some expert and exhaustive tracking, we excitedly came to the end where the spectacular secret ancient treasure would be, and found nothing... only this (see additional photos). Oh, wait...... I #GiveThanks for spectacular secret ancient treasures and the chance to discover them by following nature's carefully encoded maps.  
Read more

Lessons from history: Sioux Indians

Image
  I'm always fascinated to read "the other side of the story" regarding historical situations - the viewpoint that is not the familiar one to me, given my land of birth, personal background, culture, etc. What was WWII like for a typical German citizen or soldier? How did the people in Viet Nam view the conflict in their country? What was it like to be Japanese in the aftermath of nuclear attacks? What were the relative viewpoints and motivations of the Confederacy vs. the Union in the US Civil War? My most recent exposure to "the other side" relates to an event that occurred 145 years ago today and tomorrow - the Battle of the Little Big Horn, June 25–26, 1876. Or, as it was known among the Lakota, the Battle of the Greasy Grass. My view of the events is coming from a book, "The Day the World Ended at Little Bighorn: A Lakota History" by Joseph M. Marshall III. It's a fascinating history of not just the battle, but the events leading up to it, and
Read more