Bird Droppings January 1, 2010
It is so hard to type 2010
I was waiting for the blue moon last night walking out to see exactly what all the fuss is about. Each time while walking dogs or simply peeking out to check there was a near full moon covered over in a light fog and yes it was eerily blue at least to my color blind eyes. As the evening progressed and my wife got home from work we turned in early skipping the ball drop and or peach drop as we do here in Atlanta. Last night was the first in some time our Westie had to sleep alone. My sons when home usually let her sleep with them which she enjoys. It was around three thirty my normal wake up time she got a bit antsy and wanted out. I put some shoes on and walked out with her and off in the pines no more firecrackers going off or guns be fired but the call of a great horned owl calling to the remnants of a moon sliding below the horizon.
“We learned to be patient observers like the owl. We learned cleverness from the crow, and courage from the jay, who will attack an owl ten times its size to drive it off its territory. But above all of them ranked the chickadee because of its indomitable spirit.” Tom Brown, Jr., The Tracker
I listened for what seemed an eternity to the calls so faint yet distinct through the stillness of the morning. It has been several months since I heard a Great horned owl call and in the world so many views of owls. Some will say good and some evil. I liked Tom Brown’s thought on being a patient observer. But the chikadee leads me to my thought for the day. I received a small book for Christmas from my wife a year or so ago, “It isn’t easy being green” by Jim Henson, the son of the great puppeteer. As I looked through this simple book of quotes and thoughts from Jim Henson and Kermit among others the overlying thought is one of positivism and optimism. How about starting the New Year in that thought and what a better a way than on a positive and optimistic note.

“I believe that we form our own lives, that we create our own reality, and that everything works out for the best. I know I drive some people crazy with what seems to be ridiculous optimism, but it has always worked out for me.” Jim Henson, page 11, It isn’t easy being green

I started looking at this book last night and of course immediately had several ideas for Droppings along the way hearing the owl added to my ponderings. My wife and I actually went to bed early last night, no party, no celebration; it had been a long holiday and one of many memories. My wife had been working all day at the clinic and with nonstop eating and celebrating for nearly two weeks another sleepless night was not really a good idea. As I cleaned my emails I found several additional thoughts to build on today.

“Because we all share this planet earth, we have to learn to live in harmony and peace with each other and with nature. That is not just a dream, but a necessity. We are dependent on each other in so many ways that we can no longer live in isolated communities and ignore what is happening outside those communities.” The Dalai Lama

So often we get absorbed in the now. I recall a few years back seeing a large church along the interstate outside Atlanta called The Church of the Now. We do indeed to pay attention to today yet we also need to take a peek at how we are impacting the future. Environmentalists try to help us focus on the future, some like Al Gore gave it a try and put a bit of fear in us to give us a realization of how we are impacting the earth. Why do children so easily understand life? When I am talking with little children they seem to know how we are hurting the earth and that we should do otherwise.

Look at children. Of course they may quarrel, but generally speaking they do not harbor ill feelings as much or as long as adults do. Most adults have the advantage of education over children, but what is the use of an education if they show a big smile while hiding negative feelings deep inside? Children don’t usually act in such a manner. If they feel angry with someone, they express it, and then it is finished. They can still play with that person the following day.” The Dalai Lama, “Imagine All The People”

I think it is empathy that children have and seem to loose as they get older and as they become educated. Children so often can sense feelings and emotions from others. As we age we seem to put that aside in lieu of learned responses and behaviors. I wonder if as adults we can attempt to be more empathetic. Perhaps feel a bit more with our hearts that with our intellect. Maybe there is even an antidote for losing empathy a vaccine perhaps.

“If you can cultivate the right attitude, your enemies are your best spiritual teachers because their presence provides you with the opportunity to enhance and develop tolerance, patience and understanding.” The Dalai Lama

So often in life it is our response and our attitude when we face adversity that determines the next step in our lives. Can we learn from problems we encounter and then rise above that issue? It is a matter of cultivation as the Dalai Lama states. Can we cultivate a better attitude and understanding? I woke up this morning early and had the opportunity to see the sun rising. A beautiful faint orange and red horizon greeted me hidden within the overcast sky.

“Indeed one’s faith in one’s plans and methods is truly tested when the horizon before one is the blackest.” Mahatma Gandhi, 1924

For several days we have had rain, and I should not complain since we need the water in the ground and in our lakes and reservoirs so to keep peace with surrounding states and our lake water releases. It is Gandhi’s words of when the horizon is the blackest that our faith is tested. Many the times that I have looked out across the way with black clouds billowing and heaving as storms approach, and changed plans. It is seeing that blackness and believing in your self that is the real test. A new year is ahead and there are so many challenges and so much work to complete, in our country and in the world. Maybe we can all make a resolve for the New Year to see a little different and hear a little better so the world can reach towards peace and harmony.

“General standards of human rights apply to the people of all countries because, regardless of their cultural background, all humans share an inherent yearning for freedom, equality and dignity. Democracy and respect for fundamental human rights are as important to Africans and Asians as they are to Europeans and Americans.” The Dalai Lama, “Harvard International Review,” 1995

Perhaps I have borrowed a bit much from the learned man who goes by the title of His Holiness The fourteenth Dalai Lama, the succession goes back to 1391. This man was chosen in 1935 as a child by Tibetan monks and currently resides in India in exile since the Chinese take over. I have read several of his books and always find his words comforting and enlightening. So for this first day of 2010 as I have for nearly ten years now ended my droppings, please keep all in harms way on your mind and in your heart.
namaste
bird