Breaking Out of Our Shells

Thinking about the Penn State tragedy causes me to wonder what it is that forces so many of us to come out of our shells and show up with sympathy and regret after the damaging winds of life’s storms render us powerless and the clouds cover the sun and leave us in darkness.

We feel ever so comfortable and secure sheltered under our hardened shells.  We  are unaware or rather, “wannabe” clueless as we deafen our ears to the moans of the winds echoing cries for help.  Daily needs and vulnerabilities signal us to find the source of the weakness and prepare to prevent and remove the obstacles that have gotten in the way of safe and free passage.

These stumbling blocks exist right before our eyes but the blinders we hide behind shadow the light allowing us to stick around with the jelly fish.  What will it take for us to be brave enough to ride the waves rather than float in their monotonous rhythm?

The seagulls work together each day to break thousands of shells that nourish their survival.  Sun bathers gather up the shells along the shore and glue them back together again in order to restore the appearance of empty shells replacing them with new creations that have different purposes for the eye of the beholder.

Let’s look and listen more carefully to what is happening outside of our shells.  Let’s respond with  sensitivity and love and most importantly, action.  Let’s come out of our shells and support our fellow human beings before the storms of life  take their toll and the tides of time drown our service to humanity.