Sometimes it just comes down to dumb luck. While the best laid plans of mice and men can result in disaster, sometimes those plans can result in greatness and incredible accomplishment. The other day, while vacationing on beautiful Whidbey Island, as I walked along the beach at what must have been a minus tide, I found this stranded sea star. If you have never explored the beach at a minus-tide (tides that fall well below normal seasonally) you don't know all the amazing things that can be found----things that you would usually only get to see if you were actually under water. As I looked at this sea star and saw his crossed fingers, it got me wondering if he was hoping the tide would roll back in soon. When we are in a position of crossing our fingers in anticipation of a particular outcome, it would be best to have a little more vision (information) than the poor sea star. On the other hand, perhaps the sea star knows very well the tide is going to come back in, he just is hoping he won't be perceived as lunch for somebody before it does. If we find ourselves crossing our fingers----that just means we either don't understand or are about to become lunch. Charles Buell, Seattle Home Inspector
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Awesome image. Keep you fingers crossed and expect the worst, hope for the best and enjoy what you get, be grateful. Great image that is a sermon in itself.
Great observaton Charles. Thanks for this pleasant interlude.
It is so colorful it almost looks photoshopped. You always have such nice pictures.
Hmmmm... I've actually found myself as someones breakfast, lunch, and dinner!!! Yikes!!!
When I have one of those days of thinking that crossing my fingers is going to effect the outcome, I take it as a reminder to do a little more focused thinking; and if nothing else, discover where I need to educate myself a little further.
Faith in oneself is crucial...
Charles, great analogy. To be successful an agent has got to know their market and face the reality of it. Just being hopeful is not enough to be successful -- been there done that, almost became someone's lunch! lol
Andrew, thanks
Bob and Sue, you are welcome
Gene, while I am never averse to using photoshop----this one is untouched
Roseanne, I hate being someone's dinner :)
Pamela, I don't think any of us likes being thought of as "lunch"
Charles - Beautiful photo. We can cross our fingers, but we should also move our butts when we want things to change.
Is this the same as a star fish? Beautiful color. Is it able to survive out of the water?
Beautiful animal! Usually we don't run across animals with 10 of anything. Did you help him back into the water?
John, there most always has to be movement for change to happen
Jane, they are more "technically" known as sea stars----but everyone calls them star fish
Jay, I just left him out long enough to take his picture----he even looked more vibrant under water.
As you can see---even under water he still has his fingers crossed :)
Charles, Georgeous picture.
Was he lucky enough for you to toss him back into the water??
Stephanie, thanks
Margaret----just took him out of the water long enough to snap his picture.
Charles, that is a great p[cture. The comparison is good to.
A beautiful sea star and photo, even better underwater. I like the analogy too.
Chucky: That's quite an amazing image! I have probably been lunch a few times, and eaten lunch sometimes, too! If you know what I mean ... =)
Very cool, Charles! Thanks for this posting.
Beautiful photos! I think that we often need to ask ourselves why you feel that we need luck in this business. After all it is all about the skill and knowledge that we possess isn't it?
Ted thanks, analogies are sometimes fun
Christine----I really liked the way he looked under water but I couldn't deal with the reflection :)
Aaron, yup---sometimes lunch is good
Bob, you are welcome
Karen, luck is always present in everything we do. You have no chance without skill and training----but luck can still be there.
Charles - Very cool pictures! I am often amazed at some of the colors in God's palette.
Michael, I am not well versed in Sponge Bob---but perhaps
Jason, surely "The gods must be crazy" at times :)
You don't watch SpongeBob?
Even so, that really is an incredible picture. Welcome back.
Charles what a great shot. It is mesmerizing to walk along the seashore and hope you come across such a beautiful find as the sea star.
This is a thought provoking post.
Thanks Kate, and no----but I have been known to need a sponge now and then
Carl, they are actually pretty common in the waters around here. I am surprised no one has asked me how big this one is. It is about 12" across.
Robert, thanks
What an awesome picture. Wonder if he ever got what he was wishing for.
I actually have my fingers crossed in hopes you forgive me for taking so long to find you!
Anne, I do know he wasn't there the next day :)
Francie, it really didn't take you THAT long :)
Professor Charles
I took a college course that had us studying low tides and their creatures. We spent the day out there. The systems in place work very well as long as you do not interfere with them.......I marvel at these type of things....and always wonder about the intelligence at work in everything...thank you for this.
Richie, I think for the most part nature is able to sort things out-----and is even when it seems like it isn't.
I fell once and hit my head after which I was seeing stars.