wake up, you’re missing my song.
To soar free you first have to be aware of the cage that holds you back. Then you have to find the door and fly out.
The simple bird can give us some insight into being “mindful” and having “awareness.”Even the cat is mesmerized by these bird lessons, albeit, plotting a way to removed the bird from mocking him in the window.
Anyway, that is another story that we won’t get into here.
For us humans, we also learn the art of mindfulness by seeing the bird as a metaphor for life. We see the bird soar free. It reflects the need for us to want to be free too. Freedom from our worried mind and the resistance we have to change. Free from our caged mind.
So how does one becoming more present; more aware.
In the middle of chaos, there is a period of quiet calm winds.
Like a bird, life flutters and changes in front of us all the time. In some of our circumstances, life can spin us around in chaos as we get caught in a wind storm. In other circumstances we are the one who create the chaos by splashing around causing ripples in the calm waters of our bird bath. Only we can decide how much effort we put into being open and aware or being the cause of the the ripples in our life.
We need to decide how much chaos is our own creation vs how much is circumstance. Do you know? If it feels forced or out of alignment with your heart, it is your own doing.
break down the fence.
Being present means being in the moment and fully aware.
Birds fly by above the trees, sit in our bird feeders and pull worms out of the ground. This is a good reminder for us to look up, down and around. To take time away from the computer, phone and the constant chatter of the mind.
The focused mind enhances the ability to see the beauty of life.
When was the last time you notice a bird? A real one, not one on google. When you could see the directions and brilliant colors of their feathers. The shape of their eyes, beak and the way they move. Birds are everywhere, are you missing them? Are you really seeing the reality of your life?
Opening the bird cage of our life starts with opening the mind. When was the last time you took a few moments to really listen to the song of the bird, or the background song of your life?
When the direction of the wind changes; go with it.
Many birds travel great distances every year to turn around and come back. I know this is a cliche but when the bird decides to fly away, you need to let it.
Life is about embracing and accepting the changes that are presented to you. The bird will leave, it is in it’s nature. This same bird can’t control the wind but he can adjust his wings to become one with it. Flapping his wings too hard is futile. Instead he goes with the natural flowing air without resistance. How much wing flapping do you do that is unnecessary?
We can adjust to the changing that the winds bring us. We can enjoy the breeze on our cheeks, the wind in our hair. We can embrace these changes and remain present as we do so. Perhaps a change in the wind direction will bring the melody of your life you are waiting to hear.
The bird may return in the spring if all goes well. If he doesn’t there will be another bird there to remind you about life and freedom to be fully present within it.
It all starts in your uncaged mind.
the caged mind of a cat
Fly high and soar little birdy…
…but watch out for the cat.
KT Cat Paws