Movements during transitions

I felt carried away by the vigilant all around capture of the environment by  Pond heron and a Kingfisher in the field below us, perched not too far from each other. It was a late afternoon time. These birds had an intentional and searching look, in the way they looked around.

The pond heron was on the foliage of a tree. I saw it flying in. It was taking in an all round view of the ground space and air space. I wondered, whether it was in its transit flight halt. I waited for half an hour to see its next move. It seemed to settle there. 

I was sitting close to an electric post and noticed a Kingfisher perched in a cable, engaged in a similar all round view of the ground and air space. It moved itself in all directions to view the environment. 

After a short while, it relocated in the cable and continued its engagement of the environment. 

 

The avians have their movements well planned. It is possible to anticipate when a bird is likely to fly away. Its body posture for the flight prior to it, would convey how they ready themselves for the next flight movement. Movement is embedded in their instinct.

This thought stayed with me most of yesterday. 

The birds plan and choose their movements. 

I have been in an audit process for a week now, as it is six months since I stopped my regular professional work. 

It was helpful to have been able to notice these two birds and get a sense of the way they plan, choose and move!

The avians have  two uncertainties each day- Food and shelter! If the weather is unfavourable for a season, they have to migrate to a comfortable terrain for a season. 

In the midst of these daily compulsions, they still make their bird calls and carry on with their rituals and routines. It is exceptional to notice stressful behaviour among birds. 

Yesterday, I noticed a Mina being chased by a Crow, from a papaya tree, where the Mina was having its feed from a ripe fruit. The Mina moved on to a teak tree to feed on its dry seeds. Mina bird's behaviour of letting go and finding its next move amazed me. 

 

The ability to 'let go' eases the stress associated with transition.  It is in letting go, one finds an opportunity to receive another opportunity. 

This is what happens to all of us, who chooses to step down from one responsibility to move on to the next opportunity in life. It is when one is able to let go, one can get ready to welcome another experience. 

The birds have several transitions in a day. If so, they could be thought to be in regular transition stress. But they are not. They fly away to a new experience when faced with a hindrance!

I walked back home thinking of the good side of letting go and the novelty of entering into another experience, where freedom to create or explore without the boundaries imposed by a regular work responsibility, does not hold me back.  

The Pond heron and the Kingfisher conveyed their vigilance in looking forward and planning their moves. 

That state of readiness is one way to feel comfortable during transitions in life!

M.C.Mathew (text and photo)