I find exploring myths, symbolism and how stories affect us, help us create meaning and sense of our lives.A couple days after the New Year, I was in my office when my assistant yelled to me, "Come quick! Look!"

“It’s like Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds!” Ew, I thought.Out the bay window I saw dozens of crows descending on the property - with no apparent motive or place to go. Over the next half hour they proceeded to fly back and forth between our property and the neighbors – and then dispersed. We were curious - what's going on, what does this mean??? We googled - A few notes:

There are a myriad of perspectives – mythical, poetic, scientific, and those we make up ourselves.The American Society of Crows and Ravens says that crows “have nothing to do with what we think about them. Death and suicide are our problems, not theirs.” Dr. Kevin J. McGowan from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology says, "The poetic term for a bunch of crows is a ‘murder.’ No scientist calls them that, only poets. Scientists would call it a flock."

One reference said crows congregate on lawns to eat grubs. But they didn’t look like there were eating. Besides, what’s different about the lawn this year than last?A shaman site said: "Crows are adaptable to all environments and will eat almost anything, they can survive in almost any situation. ...They are surrounded by magic, unseen forces and spiritual strength. If a crow enters your life, get out of your familiar nest, look beyond your present range of vision, listen to the message(s) in its caw and act accordingly."

I just finished a year where my house was literally turned upside down - botched home renovation infecting every room, leaving us homeless for a while - my daughter started high school, step-son started college, both my parents had major medical crises, I had a major milestone birthday and my clients went through dramatic changes. So, the upheaval of 2011 forced me to get out of my comfort zone big time – to rethink my life and business and act accordingly.

It could be grubs, but I choose to see the flock of crows as a sign for 2012 to expect the unexpected, expect surprise visitors, and if I pay attention – this “magic” can take me to a broader perspective with unforeseen possibilities.What are you doing to ready yourself to seek and take advantage of the “magic” opportunities coming out of nowhere – or to look for the sublime in the benign?