ENCOUNTERS WITH A HUMMINGBIRD

 

Last week, as I sat in the garden enjoying my coffee a little hummingbird stopped by to visit the flowers. 

It was so close to me I could have touched it! I watched it hover and dart tasting each of the rain drenched offerings. It’s little wings a blur and it’s back a beautiful iridescent sheen. 

I found myself staying perfectly still, barely breathing and  amazed at this little bird in wondrous flight. 

Sometimes, when you observe something so beautiful you “make space” for the sacred moment, without even realizing it. It could be a sunrise or sunset, a baby sleeping, the woman/man of your dreams walks into your life, a hummingbird visit. 

I’ve supported many people who are grieving and many need you to make space for them. Stop talking. Listen. Stay still. Let their grief flow, it needs room to expand. You might have nothing to say to make things better and that’s OK.

This morning I’m at a cottage, overlooking a serene lake on a grey day. As I sip my coffee, listening to the wind sigh in the pines and the birdsong, who should come along but a little hummingbird! 

Life throws us a lot of frustrations and pain. I appreciate these sacred encounters! 

HAVING THE OPPOSITE EFFECT

 Our cat DandyLion is a fluffy fella. 

As you can see! 

With a plume of a tail that sails behind him. Unfortunately, he also became very matted. Dandy’s cleaning abilities fall into the category of a classic teenager and their bedroom. Try as I might to keep up with brushing and taking scissors to cut out the worst of them, he reached a point where a full on shave was necessary. 

The vet suggested a “Lion” cut. Now I’ve had cats all my life but never have I had to take a cat to the groomers for a Lion cut. So this was new to me. 

My husband took Dandy Boy in last week and here are the results:

Just look at that little lion!

We thought he would be all embarrassed and humiliated. But in fact his new trim had the opposite effect. He’s proud and flicks that tail with all the arrogance of one of his big cat ancestors. 

Sometimes, we don’t know how great something is without a comparison. We need the opposite effect. 

After a day or work what feels better than slipping into comfy clothes? 

After a weekend of back country camping, a hot shower is enough to make one swoon. 

You don’t really know how much you love and appreciate something or someone until it’s gone! 

Sometimes I grumble and complain, but I’m aiming for the opposite effect. One where I learn to recognize and value. 

Proverbs 13:12 “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when desire is fulfilled it is a tree of life.”