As the first crimson fingers of what promises to be a stunning sunrise sneak across the inky sky, creatures begin to stir. The first birds to herald the coming of the sunrise are Northern Cardinals and Carolina Wrens where I live. Their songs pierce the cool, humid summer morning air. They are the first to rise and the first to call aloud to the rest of us to get moving. But, what’s this? I can barely make it out through the morning gloom. The dogs are pulling. A sure sign that someone or something is just beyond my ability to discern. Rabbits. Someone’s front yard is full of peacefully grazing rabbits. They are very aware of our presence. Either of my dogs present a real danger to them. Together they have killed a rabbit before. Then there are the neighborhood owls. A barred owl could easily take one of these peaceful critters. Its seems that there is more going on this morning than I first thought. And, of course there are us humans. We have been awake here and there all over the planet coming up with new reasons to hate each other, ways to make war, coming up with differences to highlight in each other and otherwise busying ourselves about being rabbits, dogs and owls.
There is however something else happening. While the world of humans self importantly finger-points, chest thumps and swaggers about, the animal world moves relentlessly on. Sometimes affected by human hubris, but mostly oblivious to our teeth gnashing and thrashing about. There is a secret life afoot here, one of staggering beauty, delicate form, and grace. We have but to pause in our harried lives, step out of the crosswalk and observe the natural world around us. When that happens, when we are able to do so we have no choice but to be humbled by the rhythm and choreography of the great dance of life going on around us.
The male Ruby Throat hummingbirds are smaller than the females and their beaks are shorter which is saying something as the females are no larger than your pinky finger. Yet, every spring these tiny, delicate creatures manage to fly all the way here from Central and South America including across the 500 mile expanse of the Gulf. The feathers on the tiny birds are iridescent. Unless the male turns just so, his tiny head looks black. But when he does turn the patient observer is gifted with a brief glimpse of the namesake ruby red scarf. These birds are so small that they jockey for position at the feeders with insects. Something the naked eye can certainly see but a fast camera brings to light as never before. Think that guy in line at the grocery store was annoying? He didn’t have a stinger.
There is drama in the rhythm that we might never see if it were not for technology. Competition for food and territory is ever present in the natural world no matter what the size of the creature. As we observe that world around us and drink in its beauty, we should humbled and grateful that in our modern first world situation this is not a daily occurrence for us as well.
Since moving to Florida as a teenager, I’ve weathered a lot of powerful storms. Hurricanes, tropical storms, and tornadoes. I’ve come out of shelter in the aftermath as a first responder and a civilian. Each time the response has always been the same. Neighbors were not asking each other what their political parties neighbors were. They were simply helping. Friends weren’t asking what church you went to. They were simply grilling the food that was going to spoil in the freezer to feed everyone. Strangers lent a hand based on need not on the last social media post made or bumper sticker attached to the ruined car. I know its a stretch, a fantasy, a real reach, but maybe we should all step out of the crosswalk and look around us for a minute of two and then treat each other like we just survived a natural disaster. That kind appreciation for our natural world and each other might…not…be…the…worst…thing.
Taking time to observe the rhyme of life around you, the natural beauty where you live may be exactly what you need. Share that when you can with someone. When we turn off the news, get our faces out of social media and look around, this world is dancing all around us. What part did the choreographer intend for each of us to play?
If you or someone you know is struggling, there is help. Call 988 or if you are in the Big Bend of Florida call 211. The 2nd Alarm Project has many resources available as well (2ndalarmproject.org). If you are interested in getting notified when a new blog is posted and are not subscribed, please consider subscribing by entering your email in the “subscribe” icon on the home page. Then you’ll get an email each time a new blog is posted. If you appreciate what you have read here, please feel free to share as you are led across your social media or via email. There just might be someone out there who needs to see this content. Thank you all and stay safe.
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