May 6, 2021
It’s extremely difficult to not see the image of a mid-winters forest. Words written on February 7, 2021. The forest floor damp to wet. The trees stuck feet first in giant jars of Carolina clay. As cleared as the limbs appear, spotting the red tail hawk and very patient owl is nearly impossible. For that matter even the deer blend in perfectly. Until they move, my eyesight misses the entire photograph. As humans, we too have evolved into better hiders. To not be witnessed. Fading into a background away from judgement and ridicule. Or so it seems. Until you’re spotted creating a post on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Unlike the rest of nature, we want to belong to the attention. Own it. We aren’t wolves buried in the brush watching all things moving by. I know a few friends that act like they live under a rock. Is that the same? Where would the world be if the trees in a forest were given thumbs? Would they too take a ton of selfies? Would we find their emotions stuck to social media? The only reason why I bring any of this up is because the entire picture doesn’t resemble the sights we see. Quickly we are trying to regain normal living but the world of business is still caught in their mid-winters forest. No matter how many Help Wanted signs are posted. No matter how many emails you receive from Indeed, Monster, LinkedIn and ZipRecruiter the captured moment remains. The human race is hiding like the red tail hawk, patient owl and well blended in deer. Those working the frontline and or returning to a workplace that’s no longer remote are finding the walk to be difficult. Every day several coworkers check out or completely leave because being back is too much mentally. Who then suffers? We don’t need to paint into place the answer. You already know. We complain with the loudest voices how rough it is for children to get back into the groove of school. The push to get them back was one hell of a battle. Now that they’re returning. The adults aren’t getting back to their thing. A mid-winters forest. No leaves on the trees. The human is hiding. I often wonder about the bright red cardinal. Being so vibrant in color. Does it ever get tired of being recognized? Stop waiting for a miracle. Remove yourself from here. Your success story is over there. You’ve got to be seen and heard to achieve. Step out and collaborate in the name and image of success.