Le Weekly #9 – Muscular Swallows 🐦
One quote, ONE WORD, one story, one neigh from Philosophical Horse and one question.
Greetings everyone. Happy Monday!
Take a moment to reflect on each snippet. Comment your thoughts below.
Le Quote 🗣
“Not being able to go to the gym for a while sometimes gives you more motivation once you get back.” – Alden Kelfkens.
Le Word 💬
build (verb). construct (something) by putting parts or materials together.
Le Shoutout 🧣
Last year, Alden Kelfkens decided to compete in a bodybuilding show. Thanks to a mixture of preparation, guidance, support, and discipline, he managed to compete in two separate shows in December.
“Being on stage felt surprisingly comfortable; I think this is a testament to the hard work and sacrifices that led to that moment. Whether I went home with a win or not, I poured everything into my prep, which removed the anxiety of being on stage and, instead, made me excited to showcase the dedication.”
At the first show, Alden won first place and third place in the categories he entered.
“Stepping onto the stage for the second time was an unforgettable experience. The venue was great, and the support was simply incredible.”
“Nerves crept in. I felt the weight of expectations. Having clinched first place in the previous show, there was an internal pressure to repeat the feat. However, the unwavering support from the audience made all the difference.”
At the second show, Alden secured first place in both categories he entered and a top three spot in the overall category.
“Not only did I walk away with trophies, but with cherished connections and friendships. The camaraderie within the bodybuilding community remains an incredible source of inspiration. I’m grateful for every moment, every cheer, and every challenge that has sculpted this incredible chapter.”
Shoutout Alden.
Le Story ✍️
Location: Limpopo, South Africa.
While sitting around our outside table for lunch, a barn swallow flew onto our balcony, grasped hold of the roof and proceeded to hang upside down while assessing the situation.
Swallows are migratory birds, so the same swallow returns to our balcony every summer to roost.
This year, however, our outside balcony was “bat-proofed” to prevent bats from roosting in our rafters.
Sadly, due to the “bat-proofing”, the swallow couldn’t roost where it roosts every year.
My sister expressed her sadness.
My mom assured her that the swallow would be able to find another place to roost.
I agreed.
“True,” I said. “Trees often get blown over.”
We all felt a little better, but it didn’t ignore the fact that we had disturbed and displaced the swallow.
Thankfully, thanks to the swallow’s innate ability to roost almost anywhere, the swallow would have been able to roost elsewhere.
So, after several attempts to access last year’s nest, the swallow accepted the situation and flew off.
We can learn from the swallow.
Sometimes, trees do get blown over. Sometimes, you can’t expect things to be the same as they were a year ago. Sometimes, all you can do is move on.
This story has multiple conclusions.
Question: Where do barn swallows roost when their nest (from the previous year) isn’t available?
Answer: “In the absence of suitable roost sites, swallows may sometimes roost on wires, tree branches, rock ledges, or inside the hollow of a tree (where they are more exposed to predators). Nests are not for sleeping. They are for putting eggs into. The eggs need protection from the weather and other animals. Young swallows (born in one hemisphere before migrating to the other hemisphere) who don’t have a nest to return to must build their own nest from scratch. When swallows sleep away from their nest, they sleep in communal roosts, often found in reed beds or on cliff faces.”
Swallow, I am sorry for disturbing your nest. Please know that this was not our intention. I sincerely, genuinely and wholeheartedly hope you managed to find a new roost for the summer.
Le Neigh from Philosophical Horse 🐴
“Neigh” – Philosophical Horse.
Le Question 🤔
What different parts are you putting together to build the life you want?
Have a great Monday, everyone!
Previous Newsletters:
(Remember to send this to someone who you think would enjoy Le Weekly)
#8 – Long Wood 🪵
#7 – Impactful Leaf 🍃
#6 – Vulnerable Ankles 🦵
#5 – Sea Sea TV 📸
#4 – Treadmill Queue 💦
#3 – Lemonade 🍋
#2 – Meat Factory 🥩
#1 – Woolworths Maternitywear 👚
Needed this!
Found the conclusion I needed of the multiple conclusions available in Le Story. Thank you sir🤝