My dear friend Lisa visited me from Nebraska last week. So I whisked her around NorthEastern New Mexico in a whirlwind tour of my favorite places. In Red River, (magical place, Red River) I took a bazillion shots of Rufous and Broad Tailed Hummingbirds. 
They exemplify my new-found commitment to staying positive and choosing to focus on only those aspects of Life which fill me with hope and beauty. Hummingbirds are good for that.
I don't believe that focusing on the good in life means I am choosing to be ignorant or blind to the hardships of reality.
Because, the truth is, I don't believe in a fixed concept of reality. What is my reality may not be yours which may not be that woman you work with who clearly doesn't get you. Get me?
There has never been, nor will there ever be, one universal reality due to a little thing called perception, which depending on the person doing the perceiving, cannot be predicted or controlled.
(Tiny foot shot! Check out his tiny feet! Beyond adorable...) So, according to a really excellent book I'm reading right now called Illumination by Alberto Villoldo human beings must start celebrating the world they value, rather than focusing on the world they fear.
In so doing, we hold the power to change the world. Transform it to a thing of beauty. 
So instead of holding my head in my hands and crying tears of frustration every time I see a media image of an oil laden dolphin or pelican in the Gulf, I take a moment to meditate on how much I love those animals and do what I can in my little sphere of influence to help them. It's choosing to broadcast Love to the world rather than despair. 
Mahatma Gandhi said, "Don't ask me to attend an anti-war rally. But invite me to a pro-peace rally, and I'll be there". I'm there too, from here on out, gaining energy and filling up with the fuel of unconquerable joy. Here, in the form of hummingbirds- the Shaman's totem animal. Powerful little guys... aren't they?
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10 comments:
This is a most beautiful post. The pictures are incredible and the words are inspiring...I will read this over and over again.
Lynn
it sounds like you were a wonderful host for your friend.
it is good to find ways to support life! thanks for your inspiring post.
Kristy, after reading this, I went back and did what I wrestled with all night, deleted my last post. it dealt with the Gulf and I realized it is not what I want to participate in. Your post exemplifies where my energy should go. I knew that, but momentarily got lost in frustration. I'm back on track and cannot thank you enough for helping me to get there. Beautiful post. Exactly what the world needs... love you, Teresa
Great post. And I love the pictures!
I didn't realize until that this was a passion of mine, but now I REALLY want to go somewhere that has hummingbirds (a name that always makes me think of one of these Disney short cartoons, with "humming birds", meaning birds that are humming. Very cute - not the same imagery in my native Norwegian where hummingbirds are called "kollibri").
Anyway, beautiful pictures, and inspiring life philosophy! I'll try to cherish these hummingbirds too, even if they are far away.
Lynn, I'm glad it resonated with you. I'm sure you're every bit as sensitive to things as I am. Hummingbirds are a cure-all. :)
Tammie Lee, thank you for stopping by. I get a lot of inspiration from your photos and am happy to give a little back.
Teresa, BELIEVE me, I know. I've spent the last couple of months waffling between anger and peace and finally decided once and for all to kick anger to the curb. There's a nice wave of positive energy in the air and I'm going to ride it for as long as I can. Love you.
Christine, I'm glad you liked it! Thank you for letting me know!
and Cruella, great to see you here! I always like new "voices". I like to think about hummingbirds as a way of life. Even if they're not in your native land, they're right there with you in spirit and heart, if you allow them in. New Mexico here in the U.S.A. is so rich with their energy. You can't walk without them buzzing around you, chattering above your head, then perching just out of reach to watch you for a bit. I cherish them and I'm glad you love them too. :)
Such awesome shots here Kristy...those little feet!! Amazing...birds...the messengers of light and hope. Wonderful encouragement from your heart here. Thank you..,.
Such awesome shots here Kristy...those little feet!! Amazing...birds...the messengers of light and hope. Wonderful encouragement from your heart here. Thank you..,.
Kristy: I really like your hummingbird pics. On your staying on the positive side, I agree to see that way, too. It's hard these days, but when has it ever been easy? I have to work at being positive, but when I look at the hummingbird or flower I don't have to work as hard. I get lost in doing my nature thing, working with horses. Self-loss in a rhythm with beauty by looking at the bird, flower, and friends--not to mention your beautiful landscape in New Mexico. To me, very touching photos of the hummingbird.
(Sage to Meadow, Jack Matthews)
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