Monday, November 24, 2008

Penguin Toss

At the bottom of each blog entry are some "daily bird meditation" questions I invite you to reflect upon, and answer back to me or to one another in the comment section.



Go Ahead and Have Some Fun


BarryJuvenileHumboldtPengui(1)


I have loved penguins since I was a small child. They are birds and can swim, and can withstand harsh ocean environments. This combination made them irresistible and heroic to me. I was a swimmer myself who sometimes felt, like the penguins, a little round and off balance on land.


When I was in my early thirties, I lived in Alaska and California. I traveled often up and down the West Coast. One of my favorite stops was the Portland Zoo. A good friend worked there and would let me wander around with her while she fulfilled her obligations. One day she invited me into the Penguin enclosure. There the penguin caretaker introduced me to the fledgling Humboldt penguins and let me feed them their silver, slippery fish. After we fed the young penguins the caretaker picked up one of the young, somewhat fluffy birds and threw her or him into the swirling mass of penguins swimming around the rocks. The shock to me was as great as it must have been to the bird. "Why did you do that?" I asked.


"It’s because the birds need to learn to swim and need to socialize with the flock, and they won’t go into the water unless there is a physiological impulse, which we don’t have here in captivity. So we have to throw them in. Would you like to throw one?" I was appalled and shook my head no. I watched her throw a number of penguins. It didn’t seem to hurt the birds. The urge to throw one began to grow along with the awareness that I might never get another chance. So I stepped up the mound of rock upon which the remaining dubious looking youngsters huddled, choose a likely candidate, did my penguin pitchers wind up, and let her fly. With a satisfying plunk the bird entered the water, came up bobbing, and scrambled onto the rocks next to me. I smiled deeply and broadly, my glee originating in imagining someone picking me up and throwing me in so that I could swim with these mighty ocean goers. Empswim



Where do you hold yourself back from having fun? What will you do today that connects you with the world and bring a smile?




Photo Credits:  http://www.watfordareaartsforum.com/USERIMAGES/BarryJuvenileHumboldtPengui(1).jpg





http://www.emperor-penguin.com/empswim.jpg







32 comments:

  1. i like penguins to... and i will always like penguins! email me: Glordensmarcp.hunter@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. Your blog gives people the life is beautiful! Heart as long as optimistic there will be hope!

    ReplyDelete
  3. It's actually very complex in this busy life to listen news on TV, so I just use world wide web for that purpose, and take the most up-to-date information.

    ReplyDelete
  4. What's up to every single one, it's really a pleasant ffor me too ppay a visit this website, it consiwts of pricceless Information.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hello, this weekend is fastidious for me, because this point in time i am reading this fantastic eduhational article heree at my house.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hi there to all, how is all, I think every one is getting more from this web page, and your views are fastidious forr new users.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I like the helpful info you supply in your articles. I will bookmark your blog and check again here regularly. I'm fairly certain I will learn many new stuff proper right here! Good luck for the next!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Thank you for anyy other informative web site. Wheree else may I gget that type of information written in sch an ideal manner? I've a mission that I am just now operating on, and I've been on the look out forr such information.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I do not even know how I ended up here, but I thought this post was good. I do not know who you are but definitely you are going to a famous blogger iff you aren't already ;) Cheers!

    ReplyDelete
  10. I read this piece of writing fully about the resemblance of newest and peeceding technologies, it's remarkable article.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hey! This is my first visit to your blog! We are a collection of volunteers and starting a new initiative in a communiity in the same niche. Your blog provided us beneicial information to work on. You have done a extraordinary job!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hi there,just became alert to your blog through Google, and found that it is truly informative. I'm gonna watch out for brussels. I will appreciate if you continue this in future. A lot of people will be benefited from your writing. Cheers!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Great article. I will be experiencing some of these issues as well..

    ReplyDelete
  14. Nice blog here! Also youyr web site loads up fast! What host are you using?Caan I get youur affiliate libk to your host? I wish my website loaded up ass quickly as yours lol

    ReplyDelete
  15. It's impressive that you are getting ideas from this post as well as from our discussion made at this time.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Fastidious answer back in return of this question with real arguments and describing everything on the toppic of that.

    ReplyDelete
  17. I read this article completely regarding the comparison of newest and preceding technologies, it's awesome article.

    ReplyDelete
  18. I am sure thhis piece of writing has touched all thhe internet viewers, its really really pleasant post on building up new webpage.

    ReplyDelete
  19. I am not sure where you are getting your information, but great topic. I needs to spendd some time learning much more or understanding more. Thanks for wonderful information I was looking for this information for my mission.

    ReplyDelete
  20. My brother recommended I might like this blog. He wwas entirely right. This post truly made my day. Youu cann't imagine simply how much time I had spent for this info! Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  21. It's a pity you don't have a donate button! I'd certainly donate to this superb blog! I guess for now i'll settle for bookmarking and adding yor RSS feed to my Google account. I look forward to fresdh updates and will sare this website with my Facebook group. Chat soon!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Pretty great post. I simply stumbled upon your blog and wanted tosay that I've really enjoyed surfing around your blog posts. In any case I'll bee subscribing to your rss feed and I am hoping you write again soon!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Linkk exchange is nothing else except it is simply placing the other person's web site link on your page at appropriate place and other person will also do same in favor of you.

    ReplyDelete
  24. What's up Dear, are you in fact visiting this website on a regular basis, if so afterward you will without doubt get nice knowledge.

    ReplyDelete
  25. This post is invaluable. How can I find out more?

    ReplyDelete
  26. What's up all, here every person is sharing such experience, thus it's good to read this web site, aand I used to visit this weblog all the time.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Everything is very open with a precise description oof the issues. It was definitely informative. Your site is very useful. Thank you foor sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  28. Unquestionably consider that which you stated. Your favourite reason seemed too bbe at the wweb the easiest thing to remember of. I say to you, I definitely get irked at the same time as eople consider issues that they plainly do not understand about. You controlled to hit the nail upon the top and also defined out the entire thing with nno need side effect , other people could take a signal. Will probably be back to get more. Thank you

    ReplyDelete
  29. I really like it when people come together and share opinions. Great blog, continue tthe good work!

    ReplyDelete
  30. My family members all the time say thqt I am wasting my time hwre at web, but I know I am getting knowledge everyday bby reading thes good posts.

    ReplyDelete
  31. I am really loving the theme/design of your website. Do you ever run into any internet briwser compatibility issues? A few of my blog audience have complained about my blog not operating correctly in Explorer but looks great in Firefox. Do you have any advice to help ffix this problem?

    ReplyDelete
  32. It's in point of fact a nice and helpful piece of info. I am glad that you simply shared this useful info with us. Please keep us informed like this. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete