The Kitchen Window

Autumn has come and gone like a muzzled field mouse ― hardly a squeak. The days of my life, also sometimes bear a resemblance to the timid little creature, are often inconsistent and insufficient. Alas, I press on in the hope that one day I will realize the journey is the destination.

Due to time and space restrictions I will not discuss my miseries this week. I know this comes as a disappointment to most of you, as some of us do love to wallow in pain and suffering. But there are other things in life (the illusive phantoms of joy and happiness), which deserve a fair share of our attention.

Here's an observation I had the other day when I slowed down and perceived the moment to be mine and not the possession of the ogre of urgency, the tyrant of time or the demons of delays, deadlines and daily doubts.

Have you ever heard of a species of bird called the Titmouse?  It is a small bird about 4”- 5” inches in length. Outside our kitchen window we have a bird feeder where many local species of birds gather. As of late we have had a certain Titmouse knocking on our kitchen window all day long. The Titmouse is a bird that is territorial, and is very strong and aggressive for its size. I did a bit of research and discovered that they have a unique method of winter survival. Bears hibernate and migratory birds fly south for the winter. The Titmouse is not a migratory bird, but they do have their own special way of withstanding the chill of Northern California. First of all, they build their nests in a way that helps keep out cold air. At night, they huddle together to make collective body heat. During the day, they are always on the move searching for food, which also helps maintain body heat. The Titmouse is also are so active in the day, it seems that they also seem to have an unrelenting ability to go on because of a passion for life―even if that takes the form of unknowingly attacking its own reflection if the window.

This begs the question: what are you passionate about in your life? What makes you eat right, exercise and go to bed at a decent hour, remain balanced and disciplined in your life? What wakes you up in the morning before the alarm goes off? What keeps you grounded in your heart, yet beckons you to dream of more? What pushes you to overcome a perceived weakness or shortcoming and birth a greater yet to be? What causes you to want to lose weight or change an addictive behavior? A simple desire to feel better? The Titmouse clearly has that passion, desire and zest for life. Where do you find yours? Where does it come from? Where does it go when you don’t have it.

Do the field mouse and the Titmouse know something we don’t? I’ll bet you a dollar they do. Here’s to living a passionate life.