I’ve discovered a new reason for me to exercise:  I get cosmic messages when I do.

A few years ago I was uncharacteristically into running.   I would get up early and run a few miles before the family awoke.  Interesting how that seems like such a foreign concept to me now.  One day as I was nearing my home I noticed a large black bird circling overhead.  We have a lot of crows or ravens in the area, so at first I didn’t think anything of it.  Then I noticed it seemed unusually large.  Just then it swooped lower and landed on my neighbor’s chimney.  It was indeed NOT a crow!  I ran into my house and up to my 3rd floor office and there, perching on their chimney and staring directly into my window – was a large black VULTURE!  Let me tell you, it is a bit unnerving to see a vulture starting at you!  Once I got over my initial freaking out, I decided to try a different perspective on the situation and looked up what vultures symbolize.  It seems that vultures symbolize patience, are a reminder to think things through and to utilize your resources at hand.  They also represent renewal.  So, although admittedly a non-traditional messenger, it was a great message for me to receive.

Today I think I got another one, from another of the bird family.  I have for a few years now come to revere hawks as a power symbol and harbinger of good luck.  This morning as I was pulling into the parking garage in downtown Montclair to go work out at the YMCA, there in my path was a hawk!  My immediate reaction was one of surprised excitement.  And then I noticed it was eating a pigeon.  I couldn’t wait to get home to look up what pigeons represented.  It made my workout fly by as my mind ran the gamut of possibilities.

When I finally rushed home to my computer, here’s what it said:

Hawks:  “The hawk comes to you indicating that you are now awakening to your soul purpose, your reason for being here. It can teach you how to fly high while keeping yourself connected to the ground.”

Pigeons: “Pigeons are symbols of love and marital bliss as well as happiness in the home”

So does this mean that I’m finally discovering my purpose in life:  to destroy love and marital bliss?  **sigh** Maybe I’ll have to rethink this exercise thing again.