I don’t think anyone has to convince the birds to fly. Has to motivate them. Nor give them a reason. I’m sure it’s pretty clear. There’s the limb. There’s the sky. What do you want to do?

Repeatedly I’m asked “What motivates you?” I suppose we all want the answers from time to time. I know I did, standing on the shore of Lake Latoka. Watching, admiring, envying even, those on the diving dock. I’ve told the story many times. Seeing the older kids fly off into the air, like birds from a limb, my heart fluttered. Before I was even old enough to swim past the buoys, I knew, one way or another, I was going to fly. And it took some work. Battling nerve and wave. Every day braving a little further. But I did it. I did it!  

I guess I simply keep making the same decision. Every day. Limb or sky. And I always choose sky.