There’s a famous passage by American philosopher and writer Henry David Thoreau from his 1854 book, Walden, that says,
"If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away."
You’re probably more familiar with the simplified version: “March to the beat of your own drum.”
Okay, so remember how I had that story about the rabbit? Well, this time I have a story about a squirrel. Yet again, I am driving and minding my own business. Across all these lanes of traffic, I see this squirrel darting between the cars trying to reach the other side. Mind you, I’m only going 45, but 45 is fast enough to be flattened if you are a squirrel.
Like any normal person, I actively try to not run over animals and things. This is morning school traffic, so there is no way for me to safely dodge Sammy. (Yes, I named him/her.)
What do I do? Panic a reasonable amount, obviously.
Me: Don’t do this. Don’t don’t do me like this, Sammy.
Sammy running, pivoting, and doing all the things
Me: SAMMY! Please do this better than what you’re doing.
Sammy doing the absolute most
Did I cheer for Sammy once I saw him safely on the other side through my mirror?
You know I did! Did my kid sleep through what was one of the longest minutes I’ve had in a long time? Also, yes.
My Friends, my question for you today is simple: Why did the squirrel cross the street?
I’m joking.
My real question to you, my Friends, is actually this:
Are you brave enough to do the thing that might look crazy to others?
I’ve done many things that may not have made sense to others. On the outside, I may have looked like a bundle of chaos on a mission (just like Sammy). However, it made sense to me.
If you’re like me, you have what it takes to do the seemingly impossible. It takes a great amount of strength, courage, and tenacity to step out on faith and do the hard thing that others won’t even try or will quit before they end up risking what they believe is too much. The road may be full of obstacles, but there are people cheering for us who we may never know.
Let me know if you’re the squirrel or the one cheering.
Leave a comment here or on one of my social media channels: Facebook, Instagram, X, BlueSky, or LinkedIn.
Until next Sunday…
-Ash