I originally posted the article below in mid-July. Now that the cooler weather of fall is upon us, I reflected on whether or not my squirrel friends shifted to a pre-winter eating and storing binge and have set play aside. The fact is, they haven't (at least not yet) and that reminds me that despite adverse weather, they still take the time to enjoy companionship and play around. It helps me to remember that when facing challenges in my own life, that I must still make the time to relax and seek enjoyment. Otherwise, the dark, cold days & nights of winter could be a lot more of a challenge and will feel as if it might never end. So I've included the story in its entirety below because the principles remain the same no matter what personal season you may be in.
Most are familiar with the phrase 'squirreling around' as it usually refers to those times when play has no real intent or objective in mind - it's simply play. I've been reminded of this frequently of late as I sit in my back yard early each morning after meditating and watch this pair of squirrels engage in a daily dose of play. They are fascinating to watch as they seemingly have no care in the world and are both immersed in a moment of pure entertainment and enjoyment. This morning ritual has caused me to reflect more on what these squirrels seem to know that I have forgotten - namely, that life is meant to have regular moments of simply being playful.
In our busy lives, it often feels like we're more like the squirrels when they're busy gathering food, scurrying around (almost frantically) taking care of business and being incredibly focused on the 'job at hand'. Yes, there is a serious side to these creatures as they work to survive and to prepare at some point for winter's embrace. Yet they also don't forget to make time to simply play. It seems their's is a life in balance and there is tremendous wisdom in what seems to come naturally for them. When we let ourselves get so tied up in 'taking care of business' that we neglect to make time for pure enjoyment, life begins to feel like drudgery. What's worse is how easy it is for drudgery to become a self-perpetuating cycle that becomes increasingly difficult to break out of.
This insight has been all the more important to me over the last month as I took the leap from an executive position in a large corporation with most likely a very sustainable and stable future, to honor a commitment I made to my wife to return to our home in Colorado. In doing so, I launched my own business at the same time, taking a leap of faith to chase after my passion. The freedom I have experienced following my departure has been in a word, playful. I have felt more like the pair of squirrels I enjoy each morning just chasing each other, jumping from limb to limb, and simply having fun. These two creatures have helped to remind me of balance, play, and being 'in the moment' each and every day. It's been a WOW kind of experience thus far for me.
Yet my squirrel friends also remind me that there is also a time where meeting one's needs must also be attended to. When they're not romping around each morning, they can be found eating, gathering food, and 'taking care of business'. For me, these furry friends have become a daily lesson in equilibrium and presence. I am keenly aware of the need to scurry around as I build my business and work hard to create a sustainable income for my family, and like the busy squirrels, there is a time to simply take care of business. However, I hope my friends remain around to regularly remind me that balance is the foundation for happiness and that I need to make time on a regular basis to simply squirrel around.
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