Bird Brain Power
Written by Wendi Kelly - July 8, 2009
5 Comments
It’s Wednesday morning and in the midst of my morning to do list, I have just stopped. Sat down. Coffee in hand I walk outside with my journal and pen determined to pick this moment of time right out of the air and keep it, captured for all eternity, by the powers of observation and the mighty sword of my pen.
I wait. For a time, even my pen is frozen in flight while I focus on the sounds of birds. So many of them, and it occurs to me that they are more busy than I am, fluttering in constant motion, flying overhead, back and forth, carrying on their constant dialog…
What ARE they doing up there anyhow?
All of nature has work to do. The squirrels are scattered about, scampering up trees and squealing out an irritating sound and my eye turns to my daily enemy the chipmunk who lives under my back porch stoop and who- it seems- has made it his life’s mission to remove all of the dirt from under the porch so it will collapse…a second time.
There are butterflies and bunnies, all fluttering and hopping and going about their business. It passes my mind that not one of them is being bullied by a list of chores or guilt or pressure about their day.
I see no creature of nature out here that seems to be thinking “Oh, if there were only more hours in the day to build this nest, hop in this grass or ruin her porch.”
They just ARE. They just DO. And when the day runs out, they get up and do some more tomorrow with the same energy again. Not worn out, not dragging their sorry behinds. Not stressed out.
My great Grandma, who lived to be long into her nineties, used to say “EACH DAY HAS ENOUGH TROUBLE OF IT’S OWN. DON’T GO BORROWING ANYMORE.”
Which was her way of saying why worry? It will happen when it happens and until then Bah…and with a shrug of her shoulders she would walk away and the subject was dismissed from her mind.
I pick up my coffee, cold now. The words written. What will it change, I don’t know. Maybe if I can hold on to glimpses, and let the day unfold as it will, unforced, maybe it will be more peaceful.
Be more present. More here. No yesterday, no tomorrow. Just here, right now.
Like the birds.
Maybe I will get more done.
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5 Outstanding Responses to "Bird Brain Power"
Eliza on July 9, 2009 at 1:49 pm • Permalink
One of the habits I developed when I lived on my own for a year (between my break up and meeting Mr Very Right) was to focus on one activity at a time. I would stand in the middle of a room and think “What shall I do now?” Then I would pick something, and I would go do it. No pressure or time constraints, because there was no thought put to “And what shall I do next?”
When I completed that event (and I say event rather than chore because it could have been something like read a chapter in a book), I would stand in the middle of a room and think “What shall I do now?” And so on, until it was time for bed.
It was a fantastic way to live. I still try to do that, but I quite often find myself slipping back into “OMG, there is so much to do” thought processes. But, then I give myself a mental slap, and remember to focus on one event at a time.
And guess what? I am waaaaayyyy more productive with that method!
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Barbara Ling, Virtual Coach on July 10, 2009 at 6:12 am • Permalink
Love your take on this – shared with my network! I try to break up my days in smaller chunks and set aside writing that way…sometimes it does help.
Barbara Ling, Virtual Coach´s last blog ..Easily Save Your Loved Ones From Being Horribly Scammed – Covert Angel Time!
Jenny on July 10, 2009 at 9:23 pm • Permalink
Sometimes it is nice to sit and watch nature like that adn remember that we are only one person and cannot do it all. The world will not stop moving if we don’t get to the grocery store or run the dishwasher.
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Rose on August 17, 2009 at 7:32 pm • Permalink
Aww, what a whimsical note. I love it! this is something that I really need to put into practice, an appreciation for the little things of life and even for the troubles that come day by day. Reminds me of that Bible verse that talks about the sparrows not knowing where their food will come from and yet remaining fed. So applicable.
Thanks, Wendi!
Wendi on August 17, 2009 at 9:10 pm • Permalink
Rose,
How nice to see you here!
And this post reminds me also of the Bible verse. Thanks for reminding me of that! You Know, we write things,in a moment and then they slip from our minds, and right when we need them the most, someone reminds us of our own words. Thanks Rose, perfect day to hear this!
Jenny,
Isn’t it funny, since writing this, you have been so busy riding your bike and spending SO much time out enjoying nature! Go Jenny! You are like the birds!
Barbara,
Thanks for taking the time to share this with your network, I am honored!
Eliza,
I can write this, know this, and still not do this every day. It’s a day to day challenge for me to not get sucked up in the big picture. Sigh. Bird Brain Power Indeed. I’m inspired again! Better and better each day!
Rose is right. Consider the Sparrows.. Yep….