Flying Monkeys

Some people have an easy time of things. Obstacles and accomplishments somehow line up like puzzle pieces in an intricate pattern, paving the way for what is to come…a Yellow Brick Road of sorts. Sure, from time to time we may venture off to pick apples only to be beaten by angry trees. From this, we learn. We adapt our behavior to avoid such undesirable situations in the future. But most of the time we skip and sing on our merry little journey to the Emerald City.

But what about the other people? The flying monkeys who seemingly have no control over their lives, the so-called wicked witch? Who’s to say they’re not the unfortunate victims of pure circumstance? Is there anything they can do – or could have done in the past – to shape their existence differently? Why is it that they always seem to be swimming upstream, fighting tooth and nail for every little milestone? And when one milestone is finally accomplished, a more daunting and difficult challenge springs up out of the earth in front of them…barely allowing enough time to catch their breath before embarking on yet another seemingly impossible journey?

Maybe it has to do with their personalities. Or perhaps the people and things with which they choose to surround themselves. Or cosmic forces.

Whatever the case may be, as I sit here taking a break from my skip down the yellow brick road I see them suffering. And I wish I could help. God, how I wish I could help.