Three birds-Three ways of flying !

 I have been interested to watch birds fly.

Let me share the photos of three water birds flying- white Ibis, Sea gull, and a duck!

The Ibis flies with outstretched wings, the sea gull at least for this portion of its flight had the wings kept upright and a duck with the wings at an angle to the body. It is likely that the three photographs are at three different stage of flying- the Ibis while taking off, the gull while landing and the duck during its flight across a lake. So comparisons can be possible only if all the pictures are taken during the take off, landing or during the course of the flight. 

That apart, what I engaged my attention was the habit of flying itself!

Birds fly to move from one place to another. 

Move by flying!

A bird is suspended by its wings in the air. The air current helps in the movement of flying! The high humidity increases the resistance to flying. 

A bird is alone during its flight although some of them are in a formation while flying to ensure safety and protection for the weak among them. 

A flight is often alone!

Alone we walk in our journey in life! 

Those of us who have been blessed to share our lives with our spouse, we have a co-traveller in this journey of life!

Loneliness is different from aloneness!

Loneliness is a feeling of being left alone and not surrounded by meaningful relationships. It creates an inner void and emptiness. 

I know a senior citizen, who lives alone but is not lonely. His neighbours drop in to enquire about him. He visits three others in the neighbourhood who live alone during the week. He takes  a cooked meal to two people once a week. He invites a few to his home to play carrom and card games at least once a week. He visits a visually impaired person twice a week to read the Bible to him and song for him. 

In a conversation with him, who is in his mid seventies, he told me that we invite loneliness into our lives! His mission is:'Go to others as long as it is possible'! 

We are often alone in our pursuit of our vocation, but would not be lonely, if we carry thoughtfulness towards others and make that as a habit in life!

I have had seasons in life, when taking initiative to stay in touch with others or be mindful of the needs of others was difficult! They were lonely times!

Every time I see a bird fly, I feel a quickening within me to move from being stationed in one place emotionally and relationally in this journey of life!

The retirement season can be a time, when this movement has to be even more proactive and purposeful. 

All the three birds moved with their wings differently. They chose their individual style. 

To move towards others relationally involves choosing one's own comfortable style! But moving to relate is a sign of choosing to live fully!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)