One Lousy Bird
I have a favorite author named Ann Lamott who posted a poignant and very funny post on facebook in response to the ever increasing threatening state of affairs in our world especially in the USA. This weekend brought more evidence that things are taking a turn yet again.
Now I thought long and hard about this blog given I am chock full of opinions and feelings about things when I am triggered by injustice. But I also considered I’m not here just for me. I’m here for the people who come to me for leadership and wisdom and expect some level of consistency when I write.
So as much as I really want to rant and rave ( and part of me really does!) I am not going to comment on what happened because my page, my tribe, my work is about providing refuge (even if temporary), safe unbiased conversation and metaphysical tools to support co-creation. There are loads of places online, authors and spiritual teachers that focus on the “ issues” but I would like to focus on the solutions however rudimentary, simple, unsophisticated, granola grinding crystal bunny woo woo they sound.
Pollyanna was actually a very very wise girl.
I believe in Good. Yep in every single person there is the spark of the Divine that is motivated by Love or Fear. ( check A Course in Miracles).
Sometimes however when that potential of Good appears in front of us to be severely challenged by outer conditions ( fostered by Fear) and the looming threat of it festering into a giant boil of hatred and injustice we need to do something – especially when paralyzed like deer caught in the headlights.
Yes, we can shift from I’m ok here where I am, I’m excited about life and my contribution to it to THE SKY IS FALLING just by turning on your computer.
Ah yes.. We can so easily go from I trust and have faith in Life, choosing to do no harm, holding our intentions as a sacred oath, planting the seeds of potential, focused on the Now to everything has gone to the shitter!!
From Light and brimming with possibility to dark, smelly and the rattiest of ratty.
And then there is the Fear and the numbing.
Here is what Ann has to say about it. :-
“Get outside, even just to the front porch, and look up into the sky and into the tree- tops, and say the great praise- prayer: WOW. Listen for the sound of birds–or bird. Surely there is one lousy bird somewhere in the vicinity. Close your eyes and really listen. If birdsong was the ONLY proof we have that there is a bigger deeper reality than what transcends what we are seeing on the news, it would be enough for me. Eyes closed, breathe, listen: secret of life. And, take care of the poor!”
Today I woke up opened my computer, got really upset and scared, temporarily lost my marbles, and after 10 minutes quickly got my bearings – prayed, meditated, made plans for our fund-raiser this Thursday for the Humane Society, went outside and listened for one lousy bird to remind me how incredibly fortunate we all are. Of course I heard several, watched the turkey vultures majestically surf the airwaves, listened to the cute chickadees and finch and the crows letting each other know a red tailed hawk was too close. Wow. Who made all this?
I am humbled , grateful and in awe of Life no matter that yes really dark things happen everywhere and all the time, but in the teeny blink in the impermanence that is life we learn that beauty and Divine Order exist hand in hand with the chaos.
It’s true. One lousy bird can shift your focus.Just like that.
Love you always and forever!
Thank you for this Colette. The license plate on the car of the “inner pain addict” who inflicted his pain on the crowd yesterday had the numbers 1111. I took that as a reminder to watch my thoughts and not to fear the future because The Creator has got this.
yes I agree.. there is good hiding in all this darkness
oh thank God I got up at this ungodly (or VERY godly) moment to read this I used to have one lousy chipmunk at a bus stop, it was Enough 🙂
yep… this and that.. we need to be reminded of the good and the beautiful too…
where do we find the spiritual activism video?
Thank you Colette!!
Such a great way to look at things Colette! Thank you for sharing and reminding that there is something much greater out there. Gearing up to help out and really dig in to the Re-LOVE-ution of humanity. Spreading the love! Thank you for this amazing reminder of the goodness that is all around us!
We all must sing our song and shine our light on the Goodness within us. Be the hope in words, thoughts and actions. Anne’s words, as well as yours and a sermon from Pastor Maggie Cunningham from All Saints church in Pasadena remind me of my role as a woman, a teacher, a friend, a sister/daughter,auntie, a citizen and community member – I must, we must shine our light into the darkness and show the way. Love, love Lori Lee
yes!!
you are so welcome !
…..and the Perseid Meteor Showers over this past weekend were a Divine Light Show….still a few more as they taper off…..
lots of people are asking so we will repost it on my main FB page
Let the Good vibrations flow, grow and spread.
Thank you Colette! You always have a way of helping me understand my own weird self.
My kids, husband and in-laws are always curious, and sometimes even angry with me, when I refuse to over-react or get my panties in a bunch, every time some terrible thing happens! They want me to go along with everyone else, get on the angry bird train and go do something about it… there should be a law !!!!
So then I’m backed into a corner, trying to defend myself, trying to explain that there has ALWAYS been good and evil in the world, that we cannot extinguish the dark with more dark… and so on and so on…
So it’s a pleasant relief to hear your bird song and that is enough for me this day xoxoxo
big love oxoxoxox
yes!
right YES!!!
It seems like people are lost fearful,and, misplaced their common sense.
Thank you for reminding me, Colette. I can listen for the bird and be reminded that I can climb aboard and rise above. Much love xoxox
yes indeed…and many have misplaced their hearts and replaced it with fear
Practicing mindfulness every moment when I can remember to – then I see the hummingbird and say “thank you” for that magnificent creature.
To quote someone I won’t name, “If you have true peace within yourself, you’ll find peace everywhere outside.”
Seems like a good theme for the day.
Thank you Colette ! I am truly delighted to read your words this morning as they are very much the same for what I wrote in my journal a few minutes ago ????. The world and universe continually amazes us with its gifts of true beauty and love… having deep gratitude and saying Thank you to Good on a daily basis , being aware of its true concern for us all to live fully and safely with our lovely nature friends of earth ,trees, wildlife and fauna,ocean and skies,..to not be totally caught up in today’s upsetting news but to recognize our part in the world of goodness. I don’t normally make comments but thought it is time for us all to share ???? thank you ! Veronica
thanx for coming here to share!
Thank you for being so very positive!
Thank you. I am glad to know that you also get upset by the news but that you will stay a safe haven. I need that. We need that.
Beautiful Colette. We do more good listening for that lousy bird ( going to hold on to bbc.co that image) than banging the drum of hate and fear. I have been trying to coax friends and clients to see the good in our world.
Magpies are ubiquitous in Australia, and just as populous here in the west of our great island continent. Monochromatic, the males have pure white feathers across their shoulders; the females a mottled pattern like fish scales. Allegedly, they can live twenty years, so that cheeky ‘Jacko’ (as they are nick-named) that you chased when playing footy on the back lawn when you were a kid, may be exactly the same bird when you come back to visit as an adult. They’re carnivorous and a few indulgent folk make them quite tame by feeding them mince. Around here, some wag has trained a Jacko (male, of course) to wolf-whistle. Yep, seriously… I’m out there gardening and he’s up in the gum trees, wolf-whistling. How can I NOT look up and smile? Perspective, thanks to one lousy bird. Love will overcome. Peace and light to you all.
Colette,
That’s so amazing you said that!
That’s EXACTLY what I have been doing the last few days!
And, your meditation “Get on your bird” was
in alignment with my magic carpet that I had been doing for years.
Thank you for “The Good Tarot” deck of cards that you gave me in your webinar!
I think your decks are the only ones I’ll keep because I agree in connecting with spirit more than having a “prediction.”
Thank you Colette!
You are absolutely lovely!
Tori
Dear Colette .. thank you for this blog .. it isn’t the easiest thing to live in a world that seems to have gone mad .. yet here we are … everyday i work my part of the puzzle in a small way .. i decided 7 years ago, that although my life was unsettled, and the world was also unsettled, i could make a tiny difference by holding certain thoughts for and with others .. mostly i do it by mentally beholding the Love Light in all other life forms, so when i look at another human being, or a tree, or a bird, i say that is ME .. this very small idea has brought so much personal peace to me and it has made me more respectful and humble .. truly i am grateful for this small but effective process which has changed my life !! .. once again i am thanking the Great Spirit for plunking me down on planet earth while you are embodying such fantastic teachings, which i get to be part of .. forever in gratitude !! xox Lisa
Yes! I’ve been praying about being solution orientated too! While witnessing the dark.
Thank-you Colette❤
I saw a hummingbird just outside my bathroom window yesterday and … we don’t normally have hummingbirds where I live. It was in my line of vision just long enough for me to see it.
I looked up the meaning and it was “joy, seeing beauty in the present and magic in the moment” Yes, one tiny bird changed my whole day around. 🙂 Love my messages from Spirit!!
Great blog post! I love how you provide this direction for us!
I often go looking for “one lousy bird” and can appreciate the sentiment. One thing I’ve learned is that if you can’t hear “that one bird” then you’ve got to go out and be that bird! I think that is what this blog was for me today – thanks for chirping ????
Hi Colette, your words were a reminder to recall our own peace, and a bird or tree ???? soothes. I have been seeing monarch butterflies all summer. I am excited to see you at Toronto spirt jam this Thursday!
xoxoxox
you are welcome!
Thank you Colette. You help us to remember that the loving energy of source is with us through everything. All darkness eventually passes. Then we are left with lessons learned and the presence of light.
Good Afternoon.
My takeaway is thoughts about being a Martyr or being a Motivator.
Carrying the message of kindness should be motivating and that is what
we should all choose but it takes time to get there which is individual to
each and every journey.
Time for me to learn more focus on healing myself first before I lean on fear
to make decisions for my next action.
P : ) ACE
Reminds me of the ongoing theme in Vonnegut’s great novel “Slaughterhouse-Five”: Poo-tee-weet!
Thank you Colette! These last two days were a struggle! I just can’t believe the stuff that is happening and I have been feeling so yucky! I had to force my self to meditate to practice gratitude and to stay centered. I listened to you and Doreen Virtue and sent prayers to everyone. Thank you for your uplifting and wise cracking attitude! I love it!????
We haven’t owned a TV or radio for 10 years and I some times find it hard to follow conversations at work because I don’t always know what events they are referring to and truly, don’t want to know! So I am happy to say I’m not sure what events were being referred to in the Blog but I am EVER SO GRATEFUL!!! for this refuge and sanctuary where I learn all the time from you Colette, and other peoples takes on things too.! Take care every one and thanks for another great Lesson! xx
The boil is bursting and that’s a good thing. Keep your marbles, all is well! ;D
Thank you Collette!
It validates my every morning (even if it is hot) open my windows, so I can hear my cardinal stop by with a happy message and start my day without the tv! There is a Divine plan! Namaste! All will be good! Trust!! 🙂
LOVELY. The words and light always seem to appear when we need them the most. Thank you for always being the light and inspiration that your tribe so desperately needs. It is hard to take the high road and not discuss what is so disturbing in the news. By you showing leadership, empathy and consideration perhaps others will follow (specifically he who shall go unnamed)….the hope is always there!
Love you too. it’s wonderful to have this space to hear you and everyone else.
Hello, Colette.
Thank you for the blog and this week’s Oracle Reading. It was just what I needed after hearing about what’s been going on in my country, let alone the world.
I could not find access to your Facebook Live video on Spiritual Activism. I did find a link to it on your Twitter account, however, it led me to a page asking me to sign in to FB. As I don’t have a FB account, is Facebook Live only for registered Facebook accounts?
Thanks very much!
Blessings,
Dee
I stay away from watching the news, I do not understand people who will watch CNN for hours!!! I still keep up with it somewhat just by seeing the headlines on Yahoo and Att.net, and once in a while I might check out the local news, but sometimes I will totally stay away from knowing the news at all for a couple days, because I don’t need to know every sick crime happening out there, and if I can’t do anything about it, it just totally brings me down!!!! It’s always a good idea, especially if you’re getting really stressed out, to be out in nature, go for a walk, go to a park or some kind of forest area, or be by a river or creek, the sound of rushing water always relaxes me. And hearing birds chirping does too!!! I think everyone can stand a break from the news these days!!! Thanks Colette!!!
you have to be on Facebook to see Facebook of course 😉
The outside–the outer rim—the outer release—the outer influence—the Outer Breath of the Greater Source—-what cannot be harnessed but can be to our benefit without ownership. Singing my praises to the outer world
It’s easy to fall into the rabbit hole as it were. People in my life have complained to me that I don’t have a good sense of time. In reality, if I have to be somewhere, I can do it, I just choose to ignore time on purpose and just enjoy where I’m at, wherever that may be. This lack of time stuff actually helps me to help others in times like this, bc though I peek in from time to time to check the news etc., I then peek back out to go and live my life. I acknowledge to myself what is happening in the world, I just don’t feel I’m the person to get caught up in it. I live outside of it in a sense. That used to work against me in my youth bc others would say my head was in the clouds etc. but now I see where I can lift others up bc I still end up seeing life is life and all the wonders of it are still there. It’s just this temporary moment of fear in time. It’s only forever if you let it be. It’s not an easy task, but if you look at what you do have…the loving friends, partner, pet, support, wise energy, safe home, etc. we can see that the ceiling isn’t coming down on us all. But certainly, these are transformative times where sensitives have to choose what is best for them to be able to support others in the healthiest ways. If that means taking a time out, so be it! Best wishes to all 🙂
Yes Lynn, this is me too. It’s not worth the energy drain from all the fear inducing. We know enough of what is healthy to stay away from it bc it doesn’t sit well with us and it only induces anxiety. Best to listen to your highest self as that will keep you healthy and able to remain in compassion for others.
❤????????????
Dear Colette and All
I’m just now catching up on all the blogs I’ve missed. This one is just perfect for me today- not because I am fearing disaster but simply because today is a day tha I’ve been clearly told to just slow right down (I drew “Stuck in the Mud” and to focus on what is the joy right in front of me. Stop the struggle…which, for me, is more about always feeling rushed….
Therefore, today, I walk in the rain, I peer at the fallen autumn leaves of all colours, look at the circles made by the raindrops in puddles, listen to water flowing down the sewer, admire the patterns of the rocks in the river……and all is absolutely well in the world in this moment through these eyes. Much love to all. ♥