The Sunbirds used to be noticed in our garden in the mornings and evenings on normal days, moving between flowers to gather nectar. Since the onset of monsoon, they are only occasionally seen.
It is the nectar which is their attraction and reason for their visits. Now that the rainy season makes the flowers wet, the Sunbirds do not find a reason to visit the garden.
When I spotted the above Sunbird in the foliage all by itself, without any bird calls, I wondered if it is enduring the stressful season well!
The stressors are many for life to have a comfortable rhythm. When I was in the car service station yesterday for about two hours, I observed the movements and conversations of people at work. I wondered if work consumed them and reduced them to be emotionally depleted and physically weary! What was evident was a sense of hurry and not the artful way of working! I sensed a burdened look and low level of enthusiasm.
It was a conversation with a supervisor, which indicated the reason for such a sterile ambience. The garage has enough work force to attend to twenty cars in a day. Often they are required to take care of thirty cars. The regular car servicing is about four hours. The supervisors are required to 'push' the technicians to work beyond their optimum. The supervisors and the technicians leave for home in the evening drained by the burden of work.
It brought memories of my work place from where I retired three years ago. It was a place where work offered energy, enthusiasm and sense of belonging. The work space created collegiality which offered refreshing experiences. I went home most days with memories of delightful experiences of the day. The work space created an ambience of encouragement and cheer.
On my way back home, I had this thought lingering in my mind about the two types of work places. One that enthuses the workmen and the other that drains the workmen! The work place is expected to foster wellness and motivation to be able work at ease and comfort to bring a lively ambience!
A computer consultant whom I met yesterday, knowing that I was interested in nature photography sent me a few photos he took of vintage cars, which is his area of interest! He worked with a sense of presence and desire to stay connected with those whom he met! I was not yet another customer for him, but a person that he can relate to, for sharing a common interest. We both met for the first time yesterday. But the strangeness got dissolved when he discovered a common interest!
To be able to see each other relationally is a gift ! The contrast between the ambience in the garage and the computer firm caught my attention. The workmen in the garage seemed to work under pressure and the computer engineer worked with delightful interest in those whom he met!
I look back at yesterday and draw these observations for further lessons about Life, Living and Learning!
M.CV.Mathew( text and photo)
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