My family gave me a squirrel-proof bird feeder that has proven to be very accommodating to the squirrels.  The “protective” wire that houses the seed holder gives them a nice foothold as they devour the seeds meant for the many beautiful birds that inhabit this area.  Squirrels!

There is an interesting dynamic as I observe the devouring of the ‘bird seed’ by the squirrels.  There is a perpetual competition for access to the seeds in the feeder.   So much so that most of the squirrels will chase one another to “protect their seeds,” most often resulting in little seeds being eaten and massive amounts of energy being expended to protect what really isn’t theirs from those equally trying to access what was not intended for them in the first place.  Are you still with me.

You see the obsession is the perch at the top of the seed chain.  The opportunity is getting there.  The reward is being there.  The challenge is staying there.  The purpose?  Well it is lost in all of this if the squirrel is not careful and they’ll leave more hungry than when they arrived.

Do you know why most people say they do not set goals?  Because they are afraid of failing and not achieving them.  If it helps, I guarantee you a 100% success rate in not achieving the goals that you do not set.  Fear really is crippling.  And the decision to not risk, to not stretch, to not dream, to not try is profoundly sad.  I seldom if ever see a squirrel come and look at the bird feeder and its treasure, then turn around and leave.  I watch with a mixture of half admiration, half laughter, half disdain and half anger as these enemies of the seed execute their planned takeover of the feeder.  Okay, so fractions are not my strong suit.  A real ‘half and half-not’ scenario.  

“You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.”  Wayne Gretzky 

So as I watch the squirrels work to achieve access to the feeder and access is almost always short lived.  They work like dogs (or squirrels) to remove the squirrel presiding at the feeder prior to their arrival.  They do this primarily by playing off the greed factor of the resident squirrel, whose desire to protect and not share what is abundantly available.  Seeds.  The selfish desire overrides the reason for going to the feeder in the first place.  Life sustaining food.  Many to most times, the squirrels desiring to unseat the ‘king of the feeder’ squirrel will work in tandem to draw the king away.  Invariably, while the king chases away a challenger, a new ‘king’ assumes the throne of the feeder…again, capable of feeding all of them if they would do one thing; share the bounty that is available.  So the new king has arrived.  Don’t unpack your bags.  Or seeds in this case.  The stay is never very long.

Next is the hamster-wheel of the bird feeder.  The new king-of-the-feeder enjoys her or his newly achieved position and abundance for exactly, well approximately 30 seconds to a few minutes.  Never as long as the identification, preparation, plan, execution and ascension to the feeder.  I cannot remember a time when I watch the new king take a moment, look around and enjoy the fruits (or seeds) of their labor.  The challengers are coming.  A plan for removal and replacement is being hatched.  Squirrels don’t abdicate the throne of the feeder.  Greed and ego causes them to lose their position because of obsession to protect what was not theirs to begin with.  They’re squirrely!  And so they forget and react out of instinct instead of analyze and respond out of recognition.  Good thing we humans are not like this!

So the purpose for the execution of the plan, the ascension because of the purpose and the realization of the purpose are surrendered by this thing called pride.  The king squirrel is proud and protective of the bounty of seeds too significant and appealing to be ignored by those desiring the same treasure.  The purpose, food and fulfillment, lost on the king as challengers seek to achieve the same purpose as those who have come before them.  You see, the purpose often takes a back seat to the noise, confusion, challenge and pride that confuses what is being pursued and certainly the ‘why.’

Did I mention the contented squirrel and birds?  Decades of experience and observation have caused me to see opportunity exists in the chaos happening around us.  While the war for the feeder and seeds rages, there are usually several older squirrels (you can tell because they’re a little more plum in the rump) and many birds peacefully eating the massive amounts of seed falling to the ground, caused by the chaos happening above.  The life metaphor here:  “You don’t have to participate in the chaos raging around you to live a full and peaceful life.”

One last observation.  I always watch squirrels in the woods behind our house and beyond the bird feeder, systematically retrieving nuts from the trees or on the ground after they have fallen and squirreling them away for the season that is coming.  These squirrels operate in such peace and purpose, laser focused on the task at hand and using their God given abilities to live the life they were created for.  Never chasing.  Always methodical.  Content.  Peaceful.  Productive.

Hmm, peace through purpose, free of greed and envy.  Interesting concept.  

“Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”  Philippians 4:11-13 ESV.  (Written by a man in chains.  Unjustly jailed.  Freely forgiven at a horrible price, paid by Jesus on that cross.)

Let’s go.