As I passed this man daily on my morning lakefront runs, I wondered why he would stand in the lakefront chill to handout stale bread to these careless birds. Why would he give such attention to creatures that do not give back, wasting time in one solitary place for these meaningless beings?!

And then I realized the delight in his eyes; his nod at the detail in their beaks, the color in their reflection. Perhaps his dreams took flight in their wings and his thoughts took on rhythm in the simplicity of their motion. Stopping, pausing, noticing was enough for him. Is it for me? To take life off autopilot and behold the beauty that stands in front of me is a regular discipline; one that commands my life.