It was a brief early morning meeting.  We were going over a report’s outline.  The sun streamed into my coworker’s cubicle, as we developed a strategy.  Suddenly, a soft “whack!”

Given the muffled sound I thought it was the sound of two distant cars in a fender bender, but judging from my friend’s face, it was something different.  He stood and looked out the window.

Turning, I realized what had caused him pause.  A small bird had flown into the window outside our 2nd floor office.  The bird rested on the ledge.  The bird was alive and looking around, but his wings looked a bit crooked.

Sadly, we knew there was nothing that could be done.  There was no way to access the bird from the office.  We watched helplessly, as the bird continued to look out at the distant blue sky.

A few brief minutes passed.  I was slowly becoming resigned to the fact that the poor bird might well die less than a foot away, while resting in the bright morning sun.  What otherwise was a beautiful morning was framed by something disturbing.  Something so sad.  All parties rendered helpless.

Then with a sudden bolt, the bird flew off!  No warning.  No hint of recovery.  The bird just seemed inspired.  As if a jolt of life had took hold and instructed him to go about his day.

Life can be full of troubles.  Unexpected twists that smack into us.  The wind is often knocked out of us.  We are brought to our knees.  Fortunately, that little bird outside our office showed the right response.  Take a deep breath, look at the beauty that surrounds you, gather your thoughts, and take flight.  Bright and sunny days are waiting for you.  Time to spread your wings and fly.

An empty ledge.  A beautiful site.  A sign of life.  A sign of hope.