Developing Past Maturity

I have some pet finches. It's a long story how I became their custodian, but they are really sweet and I have learnt a lot from them. Sometimes I think they are smarter than me :) God loves the birds, sometimes I think they are closely behind people in His most treasured of creations.

Two of the birds have bred really quickly in less than half a year. About half of the babies died. Some from natural causes, some from accidents because I was moving cages around and there were casualties - they are very delicate. I consider all of this natural selection, as you might have noticed cages is plural :)

It is because these birds have bred so quickly that the cycle was perpetuated. I didn't want to separate the parents until the babies were trained, but possibly (I am almost sure) the babies were not grown enough by the time the mature birds mated again and before I knew it, there were three batches, one right after the other. There was no time to really develop the baby birds, the parents were on to the next one!

Now a new batch hatched a week or two ago, and the other two are in a separate cage as of a couple of days ago. I had to separate them because the dad was getting aggressive, and bullying them pretty badly. What I noticed leading up to the new cage is that the oldest batch (only one bird now) was sort of teaching the newer birds how to behave. It was really sweet to see. Now they are in their own cage and I am noticing there is not much mentoring happening. In fact, there is no much happening at all.

I made a possible connection that they didn't have enough time between each generation to grow in security. And before anyone concludes I am way over-thinking this, let me explain. Since I learn a lot about nature through nature, I made a connection between neglectful parenting, and stunted emotional growth.

These birds barely come out of their nest, even though I bought them a swing and toys, and they have a beautiful new home without any adult birds chasing them around, squawking at them. So why are they not enjoying their new space? Why do we, as people, stay stuck and fearful? Could there be a connection to our upbringing (or lack thereof).

It is so easy to blame failure on addiction, mental health, a recession, whatever. But maybe it's because we don't want to work hard, because that means we have to emerge from our "nest", or take chances because we have been (unintentionally) programmed to believe that we can't possibly be noticed or liked, so why bother going up against someone more qualified or charismatic? Why risk one more attempt to have a big fat life, only to instead become completely dejected and embarrassed.

But now I know that defeatist thinking isn't a result of some emotional hangup, it is not destiny, and it most certainly is not justified. Today I believe in determination and perseverance. I believe in coming out of the nest, and I believe that with the right training, people can be as competitive as the next, no matter the disadvantaged background or trauma.

I have since moved the new bird cage closer to one that has more mature birds in it, so they can see the other birds and hopefully learn new ways of spending their days, through them. Because I know that with the right support, they will have good lives, despite a few bad days at the beginning of them.

"Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?" - Matthew 6.26

Healing Through Communication

Today for the first time in I suppose years I practiced the kundalini yoga "kirtan kriya" mediation, "Sa Ta Na Ma". Something that I made a connection to later this afternoon is that Ma, meaning "Rebirth" is related to the mudra (Finger positions used to direct energy flow) "buddhi", which is correlated with communication. I identify with this teaching, because I believe that being rebuilt comes after being broken down, through communication.

I have been reflecting on the paradox that in order to have, we must give. I more recently was considering my own spiritual journey, and how relaxed I am about discussing character flaws, which can at times make some people feel uncomfortable. I think this is because there is an idea that if we acknowledge something, we give it power and therefore it becomes real and insurmountable. But what I have discovered over the years is that by openly talking about problems, I am not making them anymore "real", but rather I am actually giving those problems away - they are no longer "mine", and I can no longer pretend to have control over them. In talking about my apprehensions I transition from having a problem to having a solution.

The apostle James says that we are reborn through the act of confession, or if that word is too unpalatable, the act of admission. Through admitting that I need the tearing down and resurrection of certain parts of myself, I am automatically qualified for acquittal, because in my disturbed state I think I am controlling the circumstance, but really, it is controlling me. What I require is true freedom which I attain by way of release. In releasing the ghosts, I receive the healing: I am restored.

Perfection is living within the degree of God's will for us, not by having earthly matters set up in a row, because the material is not real - it is valued based on set decisions made by people who might not have been living within that degree which God has set for us. As we move into the realm where attrition is no longer necessary, we may enjoy the benefits of humility, which is a reprieve for the pride that is a breeding ground for isolation and misery.

In releasing the lies of the ego, I receive the truth of the Holy Spirit, which acts through persons, places, things, and intuition. Blesséd are they who may speak to heal, first self and then others - through receiving and then giving to keep, for they are resurrected bearers of light.

"The Empty Tomb" by George Richardson