Bird in Hand - Photo by Connor FullertonA few nights ago we left the garage doors open and as the sun set and darkness fell I went about closing doors and shutting off lights. In the garage however there was a thumping against the lights and I first thought it was several big moths even though it was early in the season for them. Upon closer inspection I saw with amazement three young Hummingbirds as they struggled to orientate themselves. Their internal sensors must have been off as they continued to hover near the lights. I thought turning off the lights would encourage them to leave the building but unfortunately all that happened was they flew full tilt in to the walls. I feared they would kill themselves in their efforts to escape.
By this time the kids and David had arrived and now it became apparent that the little birds were about to seriously hurt them selves as their frantic movements had them propelling their fragile bodies against everything in the room.
Butterfly nets were employed to capture the first little bird and he flew quickly from my hands into the night.
The other two were caught quite quickly and as I held them in my hands so Connor could fetch the camera I was amazed at these juvenile birds. Their weight was so minuscule that my callused hands could not even register their mass. If I were to close my eyes the only way I would know that I held so precious a life form in my palm was the rapid fluttering of its heart. When I opened my hands outside the two small birds just sat there. Maybe they were just amazed that such a large body could hold them without causing pain.
Connor captured this little fellow just as he took off.
It was a truly amazing moment for me as I thought about the experience for the next couple of days in between club events and kids graduation ceremonies. I considered how fragile life is and how the tiniest motion on any one persons part can have lasting impacts on an individual.
This past week my daughter had her final night as a Girl Guide. She was now old enough to go into the Pathfinders group and she sat on the fence as to whether or not she would make the change. Her age was kind of an issue as she could technically go in either group but all her friends were a year behind her. The fear of a change weighed heavy in her mind and she was noticeably considering spending another year in Guides. It would not have been a bad thing. The leaders of her troupe are phenomenal people who are so wonderfully open and supportive that I could understand Anna's trepidation.
The leader of the Pathfinders group asked me what Anna plan was and as we discussed it I knew it would have to be Annas' decision.
I thought about the night and the Hummingbirds lately and I was surprised to realize that as humans all we really want is acceptance. We want to feel safe and welcome in all our endeavors and while as a species we can and often do engage in combat regardless of age we still strive to part of something positive. Even soldiers will form tight knit groups who support each other in times of strife. The same is true for the rest of us.
How many times have we decided to try a new job, schooling or join a new club and walked in on our first day full of fear and anxious thoughts? Your time at such a place is usually determined by one thing, a single phrase or feeling. Consider it for a moment. A kind word will have you lowering your defenses and accepting a smile from a total stranger and controls your attitude towards your future involvement.
How many times have we all withdrawn from an event, job or relationship because there was no kindness or compassion shown? Yes, you can survive in an apathetic environment. You can even continue to function in a toxic environment but will you thrive and grow? No.
As Anna's ceremony continued and the time came around where the Girl Guides accepted the challenge to become a Pathfinder the simple words,
"Anna , are you ready to become a Pathfinder?"
had Anna smiling and walking forward into her new pursuit. She wasn't leaving behind a strife filled experience but welcoming a new experience with new people.
And she did it with a smile because she was welcomed with a smile.
For those of you who may scoff at what I have just written how about trying your own experiment? When walking down the street/hall/mall look a stranger in the eye and say "hi". It is not as scary as you might think. It actually will make you feel a bit happier. A co worker of mine who is from China one day asked me "do you know that person?" after I said Good Morning to another woman in the hall way. When I said no she smiled and said
"You Canadians are so nice." but my actions had two people smiling now. It was kind of infectious.
So just like the little Hummingbirds in my hand, who I could not feel their mass I had am impact on them. My callused hands could have crushed them, I had the ability but choose not too. Like showing kindness to a stranger or welcoming a child the action on my part was a very tiny one but it had huge repercussions. The opening of my hand to allow a bird to fly away unscathed is the same as opening your heart and sharing compassion.
So to every teacher, volunteer or kind person out there who wonders if their actions are worthwhile the answer is yes. While you may not see the immediate results of your efforts you allow another to progress at their rate and some day that child/person you taught or the bird you let free will grow into an adult who will treat others the way they were taught, with kindness and gentleness.
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