Last week, I began to feel a wee bit overwhelmed, what with a minor surgery I didn’t want to have, a plethora of work deadlines, upcoming travel, global warming, the absolute cluelessness of the man running my country. You get the picture. Us creative types should really just breathe and take it one moment at a time.
I wanted to save the whales, the snow leopards, the polar bears. Oh, and just about every dog up for adoption in a 100 square mile radius. I wanted to help a friend who was struggling. A family whose home was devastated by fire. Abused children.
In the midst of this completely unproductive feeling that the world was going to hell in a handbasket and I needed to be the Woman in a Cape to save it, I heard a “cheep.” And then another. And then quite a few more. In fact, I heard cheeps for roughly 36 hours before they finally broke through my brain fog.
“It’s a bird,” I thought to myself. No applause necessary. Sometimes I figure out the obvious all on my own.
Not only was it a bird, but I realized its cheeping was not mobile. It was coming from the side of my house, from just one spot, and it was insistent. Wisely insistent because when I went outside to find it, it was stuck in my window well.
I’d like to tell you I put on my cape and saved it, but I’m a bit of a ninny about touching live birds. I recruited my neighbor to do that. He was able to get it out of the window well and onto my grass, where Mama, Daddy and just about every bird relative in the county started to divebomb him. They were clear in their message: “We’ll take it from here.”
I watched it head off with its family. I was a bit giddy, as I’m a bleeding heart for animals of any type. I loved knowing it was safe and free.
As I returned to my computer, the lightbulb went on inside my head.
I don’t need to save the world, or even all the polar bears. Truthfully, I can’t. I barely have the bandwidth right now to save those closest to me.
Save the bird, stupid. Just save the damn bird.
The Universe puts our work right in front of us. Either physically or through an insistent urge to do something, go somewhere, that just won’t go away. In this case, it was a baby bird in my window well.
I did not save the world last week. But, I did save one living thing. I’m thinking that’s the point.
candidkay 
I’m catching up on my favorite blogs today and even though this was written in July it somehow is just what I needed to hear the last few days of December. I just love you and look forward to seeing you in my in-box, even if it takes me six months to read the post. Cheers to you…And here’s wishing you and yours all the best in 2018!!! May blessings abound and your heart be full throughout the New Year. Sending my <3.
Thank you. Your words warm my heart on this frigid winter’s day❄️❄️. Wishing you a blessed 2018!
Surgery? What happened?
Also, I used to do this back in India: I had built a bird feeder. There is no greater sound than birds chirping outside the window in the morning. You can try it too
Just the stuff that comes with aging! Not for sissies, as my dad used to say:). I grew up with birds chirping outside the window because my mom was a birdwatcher. We had multiple feeders. I just planted some trees near the house that they love–and the nesting family recently left–but for a while, I had bird sounds galore!
ohh, I so love this..and I think we are kindred spirits. This was a beautiful treat this evening. Thank you. :0)
Thank you for reading and the kind comment!
It begins with one heart and one voice … and you are one that continually inspires.
Kind words from one who does the same. Thank you!
Such a cute little fellow 🙂
Yes! So amazing. The small things are the big ones.
They are indeed. I think it’s how we’ll change the world.
We don’t have to be heroes but we all can be”angels” for people or little creatures at their” hour of need!”
And in the process, we are heroes:). Even if on a small scale.
Love this post, K. Glad you saved the bird.
Thanks, Cynthia! Me too:). It was a great feeling and helped me turn that helpless mindset into an active one again.
Nice one, well done Kristine. One step at a time is often the best we can do.
Imagine the change if we all did it regularly!
Aww, that totally is the point, and I am so grateful that little bird brought it all back into focus for you. Hope the week ahead is a much better one for you!
Messengers all around if we just pay attention, right?! 🐥🐥
I’ve come to the same conclusion myself. Sometimes I can’t even save a bird and I just need to save myself for the day.
Amen to that. Put your own oxygen mask on first.
Well done in saving the bird. Every small step is a big step in the right direction.😊
I agree totally! We all do our part:).
😃
That’s exactly the thing…one thing at a time.
Right?!
I love this Kristine, I too often feel overwhelmed by what I can’t save, but I love this reminder to focus on what you can.
Thank you, Andrea. I respect your writing so much that any time mine touches you, I’m honored:).
You’ve got it, Kay. Tend to your own back yard.if everyone did that, the world would be a better place. Even if others don’t, it doesn’t mean you should stop.
On the matter of the ‘clueless man’ running your country, name me one trustworthy politician. Some are more sophisticated than others, that’s all.
Good luck with your minor surgery. I think I might be in a similar position next month.
I think that’s why we’re headed for electing people who are anything but career politicians. Or billionaires. Good luck with your surgery!
One of my fav here. I hope you’re recovered or on your way, K. Don’t forget to care for the gorgeous bird in the mirror.
Thank you:). You always make me tear up with just the right turn of a phrase. I will be sure to take a look at that bird in the mirror and tell her she is gorgeous, despite the 30 pound she wants to lose. It’s all in the attitude, right?!
I don’t think birds go on diets. lol. They must just clock more miles flying if they have calories to burn. I’m sure you’ll carve out your path in the sky. 😉
This is an ultimately positive, happy blog, which contrasts with your personal and our global and nations problems that do, indeed, seem overwhelming. But I felt happy when I finished reading and determined to be more attuned to where I can help in matters small. Thanks, Kay.
Oh, you made my day:). If it gave you a lift, that gives me a lift!
That is the point! From one bleeding heart to another!
Glad to know I’m not alone:). If we reach critical mass, we may just be the ones to save the world one bird at a time👍🏻
What a wonderful post, in so many ways. Congratulations for saving the bird, and allowing it’s relatives to do the rest.
I love that they didn’t abandon this little guy, even after a day and a half:). Now that’s love.
You make me smile Kristine. “…Mama, Daddy and just about every bird relative in the county started to divebomb him. They were clear in their message: “We’ll take it from here.” ”
The world needs a lot more of this. Right?
Amen to that! 🐣🐣
Exactly the point and a beautiful reminder Kristine! A hero in the moment 👏 🍃🍀
Lovely post!
Thank you! I appreciate you stopping by:).
You’re saving the universe one baby bird at a time. Well done. And please keep it up.
Only if you promise you’ll join me:).
I could have written that exact same first paragraph about my week! Lovely post x
Now I want to hear what the Universe served up for you. Did you dust off your cape?!
Oh pretty much the same…I just took it slowly, one thing at a time, and we always get there in the end, don’t we? I’m a born optimist so I try to see the small stuff too, and it usually works pretty well. Such a beautiful place, if we focus on that. OK, go on…call me Pollyanna! 🙂
I think the Pollyannas are sorely needed in the world right now:).
Just one little heart at a time kay, and the change in your heart will grow exponentially, and touch all around. If that isn’t saving the world I’ll take up tap dancing (and not a good sight, trust me) 😀
Now that might be something we’d demand video on:).
😀
There is no “love” button, only “Like”, here. Alas. One at a time. One rescue, one step, one breath. When a beloved cat died, the next day I got a “message” from the Universe to prepare a carry crate and go to the SPCA. And there I found the kitten, a tortie, I had seen in a meditation about a year earlier. She is now 5, and a total gem. Those messages! I love them. Years ago, we heard a cheeping sound behind a wall. Literally pulling the wall apart, we found a mouse! One more rescue accomplished. In the face of what you describe, those many things that need our attention, these events stand out as well worth every effort.
Oh, I love that you were led to your tortie that way! Meant to be. Also, I love knowing so many capes are flying out there in the big wide world:).
That’s the way, Kay. One simple cheep-in-need solved at a time. Cheers.
Thanks, Mark! Dusting off my cape:).