Wings of Awareness

I sat on the porch watching the birds flying from branch to branch on the big blue oak. Some were completely black, others had a little red cap on the top of their head, others had vibrant blue wings and some were small Sparrow-looking birds highlighted by glowing yellow feathers. They inhabited the tree this morning, playing games with one another and chattering away. One of the ones with the red cap half jumped, half flew to a branch that broke off under his feet. He quickly recovered and made it to a sturdier part of the tree. A pair of little yellow ones gathered straw and other odds and ends to fill a hole in one of the branches of the tree. They popped in and out filling it up - making a home.

From the porch, I felt close to them and delighted in the fact that they didn’t seem to mind. My mind wandered - I started to personify the birds, wishing they were like some people in my life, wishing I were one of them. It all seemed so much more simple. My teacher always suggests finding joy in all things you do. Whether it be cleaning the toilet or diving into the lake. I observed these birds simply doing what they do without a thought about it. And I felt joy -  full awareness in the present moment. In that moment, wishes for things to be different or better or good or bad ceased to exist. I became profoundly aware that I had created a relationship with some birds on this quiet morning that it was perfect, just the way it was. So I moved back from the edge of my seat and curled my legs in toward my chest. I cupped my tea to my chest, took in the birds, and for a half an hour, forgot I didn’t have wings.