8.26.2013

HUMMINGBIRD


i took this photo a few weeks ago with my daughter and mother in law. each morning as i ran the little one and my mother in law would eat breakfast at the kitchen table that sat directly in front of a large open window. on the other side of the window there are about 5 different types of bird feeders. my mother in law loves birds. she knows the sounds each one makes and has watched and listened to them enough that she can almost sense what they will do next. such was the case with this little bird. i came back from running and she and the little one were standing still under the tree. she told me to listen carefully to the sound the bird was making and said that if i sat in a certain spot quietly the bird would cautiously proceed down to get food. sure enough, after much waiting,  the little bird made its way for the feeder and we were able to watch in amazement as it hovered and landed. 

i have always loved hummingbirds. mostly because they are just incredible little creatures. they are fast and agile, they are absolutely beautiful and in some cultures are used to teach various truths. i found this excerpt online (not sure if it is entirely true) but i liked what it said. it reminded me of the truth that can be found in our daily observations.

this little bird taught me to be patient. to be still. to be watchful. to listen to those that know more than we do. to be cautious. my mother in law taught me that through constant observation we can position ourselves or our lives so that we can experience beautiful things.

"In native american lore, Hummingbird feathers have been prized for their magical qualities. It is said that Hummingbird brings love as no other medicine can, and its presence brings joy to the observer. In some native american cultures, Hummingbird is a Messenger, stopper of time, and represents optimism and sweetness.

Although hummingbirds eat small insects, they require nectar as fuel, and in gathering this they pollinate flowers in a mutually beneficial relationship. Because of this, many cultures associate hummingbirds with the healing properties of flowers and herbs.

Its physical lightness serves as a powerful reminder for us to lighten up. When we are heavily burdened with worries and fears our spirits cannot soar. Hummingbird deepens this message with its rainbow-iridescent feathers which have caused some species to be named after precious stones (such as the ruby-throated species).

The hummingbird is unique in that it can fly not only forward, but backward and sideways. It also has an unusual hovering pattern, and can move its wings in a figure eight pattern -- a symbol for infinity.

This flying pattern also has meaning for us. So often, we find ourselves stuck in time: lost in regret about or longing for the past, or hoping (often without much true hope) that the future will be better, hanging our dreams on a distant cloud.

Hummingbird shows us how to re-visit the past for the purpose of releasing it instead of being caught in a permanently backward flight pattern. It also helps us to see that if we step aside we may see our life differently.

Hummingbird teaches us to transcend time, to recognize that what has happened in the past and what might happen in the future is not nearly as important as what we are experiencing now. It teaches us to hover in the moment, to appreciate its sweetness.

Hummingbird tells us to drink deeply of the nectar of life."

1 comment:

  1. I'm so glad you're able to blog again! I love hearing about your days and thoughts! Thank you for sharing. Beautiful pics of the Mathews, by the way...I thought, hey! I KNOW THEM!! What fun!

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