Be the Bison
When Life’s Storms Come, We Have A Choice.
The mighty bison, steadfast survivor of the plains. Back from the brink of extinction, this species has endured his share of hardship. Revered by Indigenous people, almost wiped out by American settlers, then nursed back to health by those who sought to correct the error of generations before–there is dramatic backstory to these herds for sure.
But how the bison endures the everyday storms is a somewhat unexpected source of inspiration. Unlike their bovine relatives, when a literal storm approaches, the bison do not take the approach of the masses.
Cattle turn, moving away from the approaching storm. They keep the rain from their faces, hoping to outpace the clouds. They plod away and put off the inevitable, then move slowly underneath the clouds until they blow over. The stubborn ones, or those with nowhere to go, may stand still and wait for the storm to arrive, watching with dread as it grows closer. They know the torrents will be upon them soon, but immobilized, they wait.
The bison head straight into the storm. They square those massive shoulders and start moving resolutely straight into the howling wind and driving rain. Knowing the discomfort will find them eventually, they decide to get on with it.
The result is that while surely the full onslaught of the storm is unpleasant, by moving in the opposite direction of the forces of nature, they spend far less time in the midst of the turmoil. They bear the brunt of nature’s reckoning quickly, intentionally, on their own terms. They do not hide. They do not lie down. They do not run away.
When there is a storm on the horizon, bison simply buck up and say “Let’s do this.” They face the tempest and move on to greener pastures on the other side.”
We all have storms in our lives. We may occasionally be able to avoid them or find protection. But if the coming storm is unavoidable, we have a choice.
We can to try to outrun the inevitable and have it follow us, hanging over our heads as we travel along. Or we can march straight into the gales and squalls with strength and resolve. Face them with courage and endure what we must as we move towards the clean, refreshed land beyond. Seek the first rays of sunshine in the blue sky just beyond the turmoil.
I have spent much of my life as a cow. But I have come to realize that procrastination doesn’t stop an approaching deadline. I can’t run from confrontation forever. My feelings will show up like it or not. I’m too large a presence in my own life to burrow into the ground and let the winds swirl in my absence, hoping they will resolve on their own. Sitting still under a dark cloud can feel eternal, but moving forwards to the other side is progress.
I’d rather be the bison.
I’m learning to buck up and face the hard things. They’re going to be hard no matter if I accept them or not. I can learn from the mighty bison and resolutely walk straight through life’s challenges with my head held high, knowing that in their wake, a freshly nourished landscape awaits. Might as well get on with it.
Into the storm.
