Out for a walk this early morning, just steps from the beginning of the brook loop path by our home, Marley and I found a fledgling Blue Jay on the ground. It seemed somehow impaired. Its feet were clutching at pine needles and it was slumped onto its side. Showing no fear, it accepted my picking it up. It looked at me and heard the encouraging words I offered it. It nestled its beak under my thumb and closed its eyes. I watched its breath, calm and slower than I would have expected. I gave it a brief examination, detecting nothing wrong. It gave out a little coo, though as I shifted it from one side to the other. I brought it up to our porch and sat with it, gently offering words of reassurance. It looks skyward, nestled in, and breathed its last.
Such a perfect creature! I took the opportunity to study it some, marveling at its new young feathers and how they were arranged; at its lightness and aerodynamic exquisiteness. Wishing its spirit well, I tossed it into the brook so the dogs wouldn’t find and eat it or do whatever it is that dogs would do with dead baby birds. The current took it and I followed it a brief way. Completing my walk around the trail, I remembered that the Jay was me. All of this was me. I was all of this. I noticed joy and gratitude, then moved on with the morning.
Notice for a moment how you reacted to this telling. What did you feel? How would you have been in the same situation? Could joy and gratitude have been takeaways for you? Is that weird? What we bring to every situation shapes our experience of that situation. As you consider your answers to these questions, notice how your experience and beliefs may have affected how you reacted. Are birds sources of germs? Is death a tragic thing? There’s no right or wrong here, but there is power in seeing how our thoughts, biases, beliefs, and needs shape who we are in each moment. Whether it’s by the brook with a dying bird or in the boardroom delivering hard news, recognize that your perspective is only yours and everyone else’s will likely be quite different, each shaped by the lens through which we see the world. Be curious about what yours might be and ever vigilant of how others’ may differ.
Pete Colgan works with sales and marketing professionals who want fulfillment so they can manage stress, build thriving business and create successful, happy lives. Consider investing in yourself to truly understand what brings you joy and how you can use that awareness to increase revenue and kick your life and career into high gear. Whether through one-on-one coaching, or a cost-effective group coaching program, what you discover will help the work you do feel effortless! Click here to learn more.