I was awoken abruptly (and early) this morning by our 14 year old son.
He came barreling in the bedroom just after sunrise shouting, “Mom…Dad, there’s a wild turkey banging on my window!”
What?! I must be dreaming.
I heard what he said but it wasn’t computing. We just recently moved to the country and I’ve never had a wild turkey come knocking at my door window.
I hadn’t really opened my eyes to this point. I settled back in. And immediately Destin shouted it again, “Mom!! There’s a wild turkey banging on my window! Come quick!”
This time I opened my eyes. Sure enough, our son was really standing there telling me about a turkey at his window.
I grabbed the camera and we ran downstairs to witness the most amusing early morning sight ever.
There was this HUGE Tom Turkey just banging his beak with full force on our window!!
Honestly, he was pecking with such force I was a little concerned the window would break.
I caught a couple pic’s and then asked Destin if he thought the turkey could see in.
He didn’t think so. We moved closer. The turkey kept banging.
We moved closer still. The turkey was insistent, relentless in his pecking; he didn’t notice us.
Finally, when we got within a couple feet of the window, we entered Tom Turkey’s field of awareness.
He suddenly realized the error of his ways (or was freaked out that a group of two-leggeds was suddenly posing threat as well) … and he ran away across the lawn.
As he did we noticed his ‘wife and children’ standing further up the lawn. (OK, I’m anthropomorphizing just a little. Bear with me.)
This turkey was clearly banging away at his own reflection in what he believed was a noble attempt to ward off any threat to his own.
Interesting.
A Look at Reflection~
If we look at ‘reflection’ metaphorically…
How often do we bang away at our reflection…or what is being reflected…only to realize that we could be looking deeper, broader, more intently beyond what currently seems to be.
- Is it possible that at times our own awareness is limited by what is being reflected around us?
- Is it possible that by giving all of our attention to what we’re focused on that we create more of that reality?
The turkey was sure that there was another turkey threatening his territory, his family, his livelihood. It’s all he could see and he was determined not to let anything happen that he didn’t want to happen.
That was his reality. For him, in that moment, the threat (as he saw it) was real.
And so, he continued fruitlessly banging away at his own reflection when he could have taken a step back, broadened his awareness, offered himself some relief and a new perspective. He could have. He didn’t. Until we stepped into his field of awareness he was complacently attached to his seeming current situation.
I know I’m giving this turkey a lot of credit. In his defense, I’m sure the depth of character I’m giving him is not at all there. He was innocently doing what he thought best. I recognize that. We do that, too.
Questioning Reflection~
Here are some questions that ran through my awareness as I witnessed this amusing spectacle this morning:
- What beliefs are we holding about our reflection and that which is reflected around us?
- Could there be something more?
- Is it possible to look at things from another angle?
- What may be blocking our deeper vision?
- What is the reflection being presented saying? Are we listening?
- Is it possible the reflection currently revealing itself is only a facade? …or a mirage?
- And most directly… How do I feel about what is being reflected, and how is what I see being reflected present within me?
- Are we ever so attached to our current situation that we forget to allow space for new possibility to come into our field of awareness?
I know one thing right now. I’m grateful to Tom Turkey and his family. They offered me a profoundly introspective ‘wake up call’ opportunity this morning. Not to mention some early morning humor to start things off right!
I mean seriously, if you’re going to get woken up before your body says it’s time it may as well be for the antics of nature playing at your window! 
Did You See THAT?!?
Any attention grabbing reflections at your window lately?
Metaphorically speaking, of course. Although, if any of you have had experiences with nature’s amusement I’d love to hear those stories as well!
Here’s to reflection! Seeing it for what it’s worth, seeing it for its face value, and recognizing that there’s more…if we just take a step back, forward…or even INward…yet another reflection takes shape with ever deeper messages to share.
As always…I’d love to hear from you. What reflections are currently staring you in the face?
And in honor of Tom Turkey~
May your reflections be pure, may they lead you to your deepest truth and may you see the beauty in all.
Turkey in the Mirror photo credit
Turkey at the Window photo credit: Me, this morning!
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1. September 2009 at 7:32 pm
Oh boy. This one hit home in a way that makes me lean back and think.
Powerful questions, Debra. And of course they hit right when I needed them most!
Off to go “reflect.” ha
.-= Good Vibe Coach´s last blog ..Clean Living & Successful Manifesting =-.
1. September 2009 at 9:09 pm
That’s exactly what that Turkey did for me, Jeannette. I leaned back and thought for awhile…and then the post came through…and then I leaned back and thought some more.
It’s been a reflection charged time, as Tom Turkey vividly pointed out.
I’m grateful you found power in the questions…all the more potential for powerful answers/reflections!
Thanks for stopping by…I so appreciate your flow in my stream. XO
2. September 2009 at 6:12 am
What great word (and picture!) visuals Debra! It’s going to be hard to forget the picture of the turkey looking in the mirror. And when I feel like I’m banging my head against something hard and not winning – I’ll check inside and see if I’m the turkey!
Great day to you my friend!
.-= Cheri´s last blog ..9 Ways To Be Nice to YOU! =-.
2. September 2009 at 8:44 am
Glad you enjoyed this post, Cheri.
I LOVE this: “when I feel like I’m banging my head against something hard and not winning – I’ll check inside and see if I’m the turkey!”
I think that’s why I related the way I did…I recognized the occasional turkey in me, too! It’s all good. …and it’s the awareness we bring to what ever our current situation is (turkey or otherwise) that counts.
Thanks Cheri!
2. September 2009 at 6:54 am
Hi Debra,
The timing of this is really interesting as last night as I was taking my (almost) nightly racewalk through my beautiful neighborhood of Sag Harbor (Long Island). I came across a family of deer which is very common in this area. As I approached them I saw the family of 5 – stop and what looked like pose for me. They all just stared. I remember reading once that deer on occasion can charge at humans if they feel threatened, but this is really not their nature and that is in very rare situations.
As I approach, I see the father with big antlers and wonder, what if he decides to chase me (I know, crazy thought – we are talking deer, not grizzlies). Should I cross the street? I get closer and they all take off into the woods…clearly afraid of ME! ME? The animal lover who says hello to bunnies (out loud) as I pass them by? I noticed the irony that I had a bit of fear (tiny bit) and here they are scared of me! First, I am always reminded what we can learn from nature (animals specifically – I have a cat who provides that daily!) and also how we are constantly seeing things that aren’t there – whether it’s the reflection of the turkey in the window or a family of “charging” deer! Great post Debra! Laura
3. September 2009 at 12:07 pm
Hi Laura…
I’m so happy that timing brought us together so you could share your deer story!!
I am also incredibly in love with the creature kingdom and so appreciate every interaction…as well as the profound wisdom they share, even in the tiniest moments.
You know what’s funny? Later the same day that we had the Turkey Wake Up Call I was out walking our dog. For the first time since moving to our new place in the country I had deer grace my path. We were walking along, coming down a steep hill and suddenly, as if out of nowhere three gorgeous deer went leaping across the street about 50 feet in front of my dog and I.
Because my logical mind wasn’t expecting deer, much less anything else, I first thought they were a pack of dogs and some fear arose in me. (Funny how different things evoke fear uniquely in us) As soon as I realized they were deer I softened and just took in the moment. As much as I could with my dog at my side eagerly wishing she could chase them!
I love your reflections, Laura…thanks so much for sharing here.
May we see every reflection clearly, with purity of heart. And may we always acknowledge and appreciate the love and wisdom of our animal friends.
In Harmony… Debra
3. September 2009 at 9:02 am
Loved the analogy of reflections. Often in our lives there is more than what we see on the surface. Although as I do my inner work I’m not sure how I would respond if all of a sudden I saw a two legged alien creature appearing in my visualization. As long as it was a good alien I’d be okay.
Kevin
.-= Kevin Boon´s last blog ..Food for Thought Fridays – Observing the Cycles of Life =-.
3. September 2009 at 11:51 am
Hahaha…good one, Kevin. “As long as it was a good alien I’d be okay.” …see it’s all about the Feel Good; if it feels good to us we are likely aligned and can flow with it. If not, shifting directions (*turning our backs & running like mad in the turkey’s case*) to find something that feels better is the best alternative.
As always, thanks for stopping by and jumping into the stream. Appreciating your reflections…
In Harmony… Deb
4. September 2009 at 1:34 pm
Wow! This hit home for me. I try to remember that when something I do not like is going on in my space that it is a reflection of something going on in the inside.
I do not always do a good job of remembering that!
Thank you for this so timely post.
Hugs
Iyabo
.-= Iyabo Asani, The Inner Genius Coach´s last blog ..Rags to Riches Niche Story! =-.
5. September 2009 at 7:44 am
I agree, Iyabo. This turkey was a great reminder for me, too…on many levels.
I’m happy the post was timely for you…I know it was for me as well.
Here’s to blessing the ‘turkeys’ in our lives for the wonderful reminders and messages they bring!
With Reflection…
Debra (@debsoul) XO
.-= Debra´s last blog ..Reflection, Reality & Illusion ~ A Wild Turkey Wake Up Call =-.
5. September 2009 at 8:44 pm
Laughing at this turkey wants to make me laugh at myself when I am banging away at what I fear as if I could, by banging my perceived evil, provide any real protection at all.
Those questions are a good reminder. I like how you talked about his field of awareness. I think I will ask myself that next time I’m afraid of something “What’s outside my field of awareness?” Many times I find that I’m afraid of something that’s actually good for me.
.-= Melody Campbell, Building Your Coaching Business´s last blog ..What Makes Your Ideal Prospect Take Action? =-.
6. September 2009 at 8:24 am
I love it, Melody! Your entire comment. Especially the part about “many times I find that I’m afraid of something that’s actually good for me”.
I know that’s true for me as well. And that’s where tuning in, feeling into the source of the fear…looking it straight in the face and asking it what it’s all about can be a valuable informer.
Sometimes what we perceive as fear is us moving to the edge of the precipice of a leap that we’ve been consciously attracting into our experience. Now that we arrive at the edge of the leap…it can feel a little like, “oh oh…did I really say I wanted this??” LOL
Opening to a broader field of awareness will allow us to take the leap…or even move forward in baby steps…with grace and ease.
Thanks for sharing with us, Melody!
~Debra
.-= Debra´s last blog ..Reflection, Reality & Illusion ~ A Wild Turkey Wake Up Call =-.