A bird in a twig !

I watched this small sunbird balancing on a twig in the wind!

I  notice that many birds choose to be perched in small branches, looking precariously placed! It seems to be their habit. 

In the existential language it is seen as risk taking. As far the birds are concerned, there is no chance of falling, because they fly to reposition themselves in case the wind displaces them. 

I have an awful feeling of risk on the road as some drivers seem to be determined to overtake in narrow roads. 

I have a suspicion that only less than fifty percent of the rural folks wear a mask during the COVID 19 pandemic season, inspite of daily reminders. 

I pass an outlet of a beverage store every day while going to work, where alcohol is sold. The people waiting to buy alcohol increase in number each day! The doctor in the emergency department mentioned that there are more people brought with accidents who are in a drunken state. 

The bird in this picture perched in a slender branch is not taking any risk as it has its protective wings to safeguard it. 

But in all the other situations that I referred to, what people choose is a dangerous path and not just risk alone. 

There is a difference between risk taking and dangerous living. 

Two  adolescent children got drowned recently while they went into an overflowing river to rescue a ball. It was a dangerous act. Anything we do is dangerous if we get into it without any preparation, forethought or weighing the merit of the act. 

Whereas, risk is when a greater good is at stake if something that can be done is not done. During the flooding in Kerala last year, fishermen were in the forefront to rescue people caught in flooded villages. The fisher men were the most suitable people to do the mission as they were used to the rough terrain of the high seas. In that sense they took upon themselves a difficult task, but they were skilled to do it. They did it because elderly people trapped in houses would have been in great danger, had they not done it. 

I have suspicion that the tendency to live dangerously is on the increase. A good example is overweight. About thirty percent of young people can be overweight and they would gradually drift into diseases arising out of overweight, even before they are in their forties. 

I failed to live less stressfully during my fifties. I paid the price by needing a coronary by-pass surgery in my late sixties. 

An elderly person has been struggling to reduce his weight to feel better from his arthritis in the knees. At the end of three months of efforts he shed five kilos which gave him relief form the symptom of pain. He could avoid the knee replacement for a while now. He is into cycling for his mobility to reduce the stress on his knees. 

I feel grateful to the small sunbird, which brought many thoughts to my mind, while watching its safe behaviour!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)