Squirrley

On my way back from grocery shopping this morning, a grey squirrel ran across Berry Road a few car-lengths ahead of me. I don't know why it was crossing the road (other than to get to the other side), but presumably there was something there that it considered better than what was on the side that it was leaving.

As the car approached, it froze into that familiar pose of panic. I beeped the horn on the Vibe, and the squirrel -- already more than three-quarters of the way to the desired side -- turned and ran back to the departed side. This actually placed it more at risk since it had to cover three times as much distance and cars could be coming in both directions. Also, it gained nothing from its previous efforts, but simply found itself -- propelled by fear -- back where it began, in an unsatisfactory (for whatever reason) place.

Sounds so human, doesn't it? We rush back to a place that was not satisfactory to avoid something we fear, even when it would make more sense and probably be safer to keep going toward our goal.

If this reminds you of anything of a political nature, you are not alone. But then I try to avoid political topics on this blog. I just notice lessons from nature, in faint imitation of SomeOne else who noted lilies of the field and sparrows.