Keep your inner bird feeder topped up
Amid my daily and weekly scurrying around for church, family, dog walking and community duties, I forgot all about filling the bird feeder. Thinking back, I realized it had been several days since I’d filled it, and even more since I’d observed the happy little critters enjoying their meal. But now, with no fresh supply to entice them to stay, the hungry birds soon flew away, leaving only the empty bird feeder nestled into the arms of the giant fir tree that graced my front yard.
Immediately I went out to the container where I kept the seed, filling the feeder to the brim with two big scoops, all it could take.
Back inside my condo, I poured a cup of tea and sat in my chair. Within minutes, sparrows, wrens and chickadees descended on the burgeoning bird feeder. First a few, contentedly sharing the ledge along the feeder, then more came, demanding their share. Soon seed was spilling out all around the tree, some birds hopping below to get their meal on the ground. A blue jay appeared. Magpies perched on the fence railing. The yard was alive with joyful noise and activity.
How easy it was to please the birds. For all the pleasure they brought me, it wasn’t really a big deal for me to do my part with keeping the supply of grain and sunflower seeds ready for them.
“Too bad we humans don’t have anyone to come along and renew our joy and enthusiasm when life deals us a blow,” I thought.
When a beloved friend moves away. When we retire. When our grandchildren all grow up. When a parent or spouse or pet dies. When we feel empty and lost and hungry for the good times.
Who is there to refill our resources, provide life-giving encouragement and sustenance, and make our futures bright and secure? It was a question that I pondered as darkness fell and I warmed up my evening meal. And eventually I found my answer — and it’s me. I need to look after my own soul. But how? By visiting a housebound senior, leading a singalong, sharing life stories with my writing group. Taking my dogs for a walk and keeping them well-fed and healthy. Spending time with my grandchildren. Calling up an old friend and meeting her for lunch, sharing high school memories and forgetting for a while the various troubles we each have. Eating healthy and doing yoga every day. Attending church and being part of a bigger group of concerned citizens who, together, pray for world peace and an end to child poverty. Reading good books and watching documentaries on television that expand my mind and awareness of worldly, national, and local events and issues.
So I guess I just answered my own question. And now I know exactly what to do.