There are no Emperor Penguins in Alaska

So Sue told me before we left. What did I know, Geography never being my strongest subject in school. Anyway, last night Ben and I went to see the movie "March of the Penguins" that begins with Morgan Freeman's words: "In the harshest place on earth, LOVE finds a way. This is the incredible true story of a family's journey to bring life into the world." This beautiful and poignant story impressed upon me the power of clear focus, keeping your mind on the goal and moving forward with fierce determination, about never giving up, the importance of following your own instincts and connecting to your own inner guidance; how important it is sometimes to just keep going, even if it means you may have to crawl on your belly for awhile. And later when I listened to one mother penguin cry out in pain over the loss of her chick to the bitter cold, I felt the loss of my immediate family and understood her grief. Near the end of the movie as the parent penguins finally walk away and leave their young, I felt a stab of fear and apprenension and was reminded of my own need to cling to things long after they are over. I am reminded of the importance of letting go and moving on, taking that next step or leap of faith into a brave new world, as these little ones eventually did with their first courageous leap into the ocean.