Thursday, March 18, 2010

Lessons from Hummingbirds

There is just something about hummingbirds. I confess to a stab of envy when my friend Betty found a hummingbird nest in a tree in her yard.

I dreamed of having that experience too. A thrill of delight followed when one began to build her nest right outside the window above my desk last year. Alas, she chose a large leaf on a shedding succulant. When it fell off, I knew the sinking feeling of disappointment. I'll bet she did too.

A few days ago I sipped some morning coffee and gazed out the window from the dining area in my little casita by the lake. A flash of movement caught my eye. A pair of super-speedy wings held a wee bird in place for a moment. She lit on a branch and poked at something.

Again and again she returned until she had her beautiful nest just about done. I thought, "I'd better tell the gardeners not to trim this tree." Then I thought, "They never trim this tree unless I ask them to." The thought persisted until I forced it out of my mind. They say humans are the only creatures who go against their own instincts.

Must be true, because I sure went against mine. When I returned to my vantage point, the tree had been trimmed and the little nester was nowhere in sight.

Now I knew the dejection of bitter disappointment.

'It's just an experience," I told myself. It's not something you really had.
"That's all we ever want!" I answered.
"Well, have another one," I replied.
" I wanted the watching-the-humming-bird one." I shot back.

Just about then, she flew in for the landing. I knew the joy, the delight, the rapture of a miracle.

Here's what I learned from the hummingbird.

Even if you are not always good, experience envy, indulge in disappointment, go against your own instincts, argue with yourself and do not create a happy experience evenwhen you know how -- miracles abound! You just have to keep an eye out and accept them.

I 'm thinking about presenting another "BREAKOUT to Miracles Weekend" I'll keep you posted.

Love,
Mandy

PS -- Look how close they came! See the fresh cuts on the branch by her beak and behind her! Miracles abound!
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4 comments:

  1. Something about acceptance is that
    we welcome something gladly into
    out lives.

    Resignation, a perfectly valid
    experience, on the other hand is
    a bit different.

    Then there is a little bit of magic,
    and that may be fun, depending.

    I get so much from what you share,
    Mandy...

    "It's just an experience," I told myself. It's not something you really had.
    "That's all we ever want!" I answered.
    "Well, have another one," I replied.
    " I wanted the watching-the-humming-bird one."


    ...ever mindful of happiness, even
    in the smallest of life's moments,
    and the most regrettable.

    Thank you, Mandy.

    - -
    Okay,
    Father Luke

    ReplyDelete
  2. Mandy, like Luke I too "get so much from what you share." I appreciate your human-ness, sharing that, and also sharing how you talk to yourself through those disappointing moments. You allow us to learn by example - oh, so cool. Oh, the little things...

    Love, Lisa

    ReplyDelete
  3. MIRACLES! Someone or something was watching over that little bird...
    Isn't it a wonderful feeling when nature continues, without being stopped...and life continues "according to the plan"...? All feels right!!
    This is a GOOD feeling... Congratulations on your new little friend... (Quite the teacher!)

    Laci

    ReplyDelete
  4. i truthfully enjoy your own posting style, very exciting.
    don't give up as well as keep writing due to the fact it just simply good worth to follow it,
    excited to find out even more of your own well written articles, cheers!

    ReplyDelete

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