“It looks as though all the Scissor-tail Flycatchers have gone for the season”, said my very observant and bird-loving boyfriend, Shawn.
Naturally I nodded in agreement while secretly hoping my look of embarrassed confusion would escape his notice.  There I sat casually, acting as if he had just stated the most obvious of facts.  In fact, as an avid birder, he had, but

the simple truth was this…. I had not acknowledged their departure because among other things, I was too busy.

Too busy living, too busy working, too busy creating self imposed tasks to which I attached life or death importance.  Tasks, lists and must-do chores, all weak attempts to justify the significance of my existence.  Simply put, I was too busy being human.

Instead of heeding the signs of nature to remind me of the upcoming change of seasons and appreciating the beauty in their message, I paid more attention to the premature Christmas decorations at the home improvement stores and made yet another “ list” of things I would  “need” to buy for the holidays.  As I sat contemplating how and why I let this disconnect happen I realized that I was not alone.  Everywhere I looked I saw people just like myself.  Running, rushing, and worrying about our lists, while missing nature accomplishing hers.

I think it goes without saying that in our madness we cheat ourselves of some very appropriate life lessons from nature.

For example, the lesson of time.  In our very wired society everything from simply paying a bill to major financial mergers happen in practically no time at all.  This ability allows us to “save time”.  But what do we do with our saved time?  We make more lists of course!  Not so with the migration of hawks, bats and butterflies.  Their mere survival hinges on their timing.  They can be neither too rushed nor too late.  Their “list of things to do” is not written by the individual, it is determined by natural events outside of their control like the weather patterns or availability of food sources.  The hands of nature’s clock are not digital, they are instinctual.  Rushing out to buy that hot pink tin Christmas tree, well I’m not sure exactly what that would be but I know it isn’t instinct!
           
In the following days after this seemingly ordinary day, Shawn and I talked some more about migratory routes, who was migrating and when, and why some species stay when others leave.  This was nice because I am not a “bird person” (not yet anyway!) and I began to take notice of much more than just the absence or arrival of birds.  I actually began to listen and watch.

I realized that not only were the mammals preparing for the winter stretch but the birds, ants, toads and turtles were all following their own rituals as well.  All this was happening not in some remote and exotic place but right here in my own backyard.  With humility I realized that whether I noticed it or not, nature had her own agenda and it would go on with or without my lists and me.

There are no ordinary days unless we make a choice not to notice. I challenge everyone, including myself, to notice every single day.  What will you do with all the time you “saved”?

So as you make your lists for the holidays (it wouldn’t be right or even possible without them!), remember to save a little time for peace, silence and observance.  No doubt there are lessons that nature is willing to teach if only we will take the time to listen and learn.

Oh and by the way, the hot pink tree? Not on my list!