Recently, I began to miss the good old dawn chorus. Not that I was always happy to hear it. In the middle of summer in Britain, sleeping with the windows open chances are you, okay make that me…were more than likely to be woken up by above mentioned dawn chorus around 4 am. Not usually at my best at that time in the morning. Might even go so far as to call me a little grumpy.
Yet, here I am missing the dawn chorus. I miss the sounds of those little British robins, the song thrush, wren, chaffinch, goldfinch, and sparrow for starters.
We have the mockingbird, wagtails as I like to call them, and I’ve seen cardinals flitting around in the marsh trees outside our window. Not too shabby, but, bless their little hearts, they don’t add up to a dawn chorus.
So what’s to be done?
I decided to train the wagtails. I have it on good authority (my Darling One) that they will mimic birds that they hear, so every morning for the past couple of weeks, whilst I’ve been sitting outside contemplating, I’ve taken my recording of Brecklands Dawn Chorus and played it to the birds.
What? Who said that? There’s someone nutty enough to want to train wagtails to sing?
Yep, and I’m not in the least embarrassed about it. You already know I’m a little weird, I’ve ‘fessed up to it more than once or twice. And anyway it seemed like a brilliant idea at the time.
So far, the wagtails either don’t hear my lovely dawn chorus or they’re deliberately not going to sing songs by any old British songbird. I haven’t decided what it is yet…but I persist. Persistence is always key to success.
In my role as bird trainer, I’m reminded of a more pressing need…that of training myself.
Have you ever heard the phrase ‘practice makes perfect’? Bet you have. It’s about continued training. About persistence.
Louis Armstrong said “If I don’t practice for a day, I know it. If I don’t practice for two days, the critics know it. And if I don’t practice for three days, the public knows it.”
It’s the same for me, and you too. And yes our public…namely our friends, family and colleagues are all aware of what’s going on within us, if only at an energetic level.
We, ourselves know at a more personal and obvious level, because our inner conversations crystallize into the facts of our life; into the every day interactions and experiences we have.
Those seemingly innocent things we say to ourselves become solidly real in our world of experience. And yes, I’ve been bopped on the head on more than one occasion by a pretty solid inner conversation that was…hmmm how shall I put this…less than lovely.
Take a minute, yep, right now, and try to notice what you were saying to yourself, notice what you’ve recently accepted as true because it will materialize as an experience in your world.
If we’re not practicing positive inner talking, then chances are we’re stuck in some old, automatic, probably negative thoughts. And our reality bears the fruit of our inner conversations. Sometimes the fruit turns out to be a giant two by four that bats you over the head. Not nice.
Just as persistent training and practice is the key to being a world class musician, or athlete, it’s no different for us. If we want a change in life – more income, greater recognition, huge success, or whatever the desire may be, then we have to set a definite aim along which our thoughts travel, or our mind will wander off into the wilderness. Once we’re clear on our aim, we have to persist in thinking those thoughts.
It’s the way out of limitation, the way of freedom from the current state of affairs in our world.
If your world seems broken, don’t despair. Should your desire for something different not be met today, tomorrow, next week or next month – persist, for persistency will pay off. All of your prayers will be answered if you don’t give up.
Meantime my work as a bird trainer continues ~ I’m sure the payoff will be great. 🙂
Encourage one another.
Love Elle.
xoxo
*Bonus Read
Beautiful post for anyone in recovery and even those of us who are not. The Beauty of Recovery
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20 Comments
I was visiting my friend in London several years ago. After a long day of traveling from the U.S. and arriving in the morning, I was a bit of schedule. By the time I got to sleep that night, the air mattress I was sleeping on kept deflating and then I was awoken to the chorus of Robins as well. Needless to say, I was not happy to hear them. They do make quite a racket. I am sure when you are in sync with them and expecting to here them, it may be a bit more pleasant. I don’t even think the windows were open either. They were just that loud.
Oh Wendy, it’s so true…they are blooming loud. Yet there I was missing the tiny things with the big voices! Thanks for joining in the conversation, it’s lovely to hear from you. 🙂
So let me understand this. You are training wild birds in the US to sound like British birds? I love it. Really, that’s priceless. I have a few finches in the kitchen who are making lots of noise right now. You are welcome to them! Oh, not really. I love those sweet, goofy birds.
Funny Galen, that’s pretty similar to what my Darling One says…I’m…priceless. 🙂
I’m listening to the birds chirping right now which is midday, but I do as well here a little chorus in the morning. This is a unique pastime, I must say, Elle, but I hope it works out. It’s nice to keep the traditions going however we can manage it. 🙂
I know Fran…there are times when I even surprise myself with my ‘brilliant’ ideas. But it’s been a worthwhile thing if only because it directed my thinking onto the practice we need in our everyday life if we’re to live our best life ever. 🙂
Wow, Elle, you’re brilliant 🙂 I love your ideas! I have been entertaining some lovely thoughts lately, and that new habit led me to some pretty amazing places. I am now taking massage lessons, and enjoying it so much I can’t even describe it. It suddenly hit me that I was not happy doing my job, sitting behind a desk all day, and that was so hard to admit to myself, but once I did it, everything became easier. Everything started to fall into place, I started having so many ideas about what I could do, and I realized I have never allowed myself to get lost in the abundance of joy I could experience in this world. When I made that big step 6 months ago I told you about, a friend of mine told me: you are so brave, it will get you a long way! And then about a month ago I remembered that, and I realized I’m not there yet! Time to hit the road to where I want to be and how I want to feel, and so I started digging deep and discovering myself for who I truly am – I made a promise to myself that I would be the one to grant my own wishes, and I have to keep the promise, right? 🙂 anyway, I got a little carried away, but I do that sometimes when I’m talking to you. Thank you so much for helping me on my journey. You are a blessing.
Ana, you are always filled with the joys of spring. Love that about you. How fantastic that you get lost in the abundance of joy and I’m so happy you’re enjoying your massage lessons. You go girl. The journey is within yourself and it sounds like you’re on a pretty amazing road. Keep your inner self fired with this passion Ana, and there are no obstacles large enough to stop you. 🙂
Oh my goodness, Elle, the discoveries I am making during massage, the healing it brings me, the closure, it’s like someone’s warm and loving hands are squeezing whatever hurt and puss there might be left inside of me after all the problems I had. I was crying after my last class, and it hit me that it was the wall inside of me breaking, the gentle touch of another human being was strong enough to crush down all the obstacles for me being around people once again. It’s wonderful. Once again, I am exactly where I need to be in this moment in my life. Just wanted to share this with you.
Thank you Ana for sharing your wonderful experiences. How lovely that we all get to participate in your expansion. You must be feeling so very liberated as you break down walls that have limited you in the past. To coin a phrase from the old country “Good job you.” 🙂
Elle,
I love this – training birds to sing. What a great idea!!
And what a metaphor for life!!
I will carry lesson with me as I remember to write everyday for the practice of it!! I will persist and finally finish my book.
Thanks!
Hugs!
Betsy
You’ve hit the nail on the head Betsy – it is a metaphor for life, or writing your book. 🙂 Can’t wait to read it, I already love your writing on your blog. Now I’m going to be imagining your finished book flying off the shelves (or internet) and making the best seller list in no time at all!
Elle, just what I needed to hear today. I love how you tied this entire story together into a beautiful message. Thank you for sharing your talents and thoughts! 🙂
And thank you Victor for your always kind and encouraging comments. I’m glad the post resonated with you today…love when that happens. 🙂
Elle – you’re a doll. Some day I want to meet you, hug you and go somewhere where there are lots of birds. Oh, but I completely hear you when you say you miss the sounds! I hear birdsong intermittently all day. There are crows, pigeons and mynahs galore. In fact, the pigeons are practicing “occupy my verandah” in my house. I used to get mad at them. Now, in a weird way, I find their company soothing. I love watching them through the mesh door – turning their heads this way and that… and oh well – when they make a mess…I chide them. I used to yell at them before. 😀 Now, if they are not around I miss them. Every morning, they collect on the terrace in huge numbers. Once in a while I go up and scatter a few handsfull of grain…and the sight is a joy to see….about 50-60 of them swoop down, peck and are gone in a minute. Another handfull – and they’re back!
In the evening I see kites enjoying the skies and sometimes see groups of parrots chirping loudly and passing by.
Shucks. I ought to share this in a post, no?
Hugs! I know I am going to be happy when I am on my way here!
Ah Vidya…you know how much I want to visit your country..and who knows…if I keep it in my mind as a done deal, maybe we will get to meet and hug and listen to birds together. And yes, you definitely should write a post about your birds! 🙂
Elle,
I know you’ll be successful in your training. I used to think we had many more types of birds than we actually have around my house. Until I took the time to relax in our hammock (usually only the kids play on it). I watched the birds and noticed what sound they made and realized that the Stellar Jays were copying every bird they heard (many of whom I had never seen around our house). The Stellar’s were mimicking about six other birds amazingly accurately.
I love your message as I’ve been doing a lot to incorporate it into my life, especially with my writing. The baby steps and little thoughts every day really add up to a symphony of a life.
Thank you so much!!
Big Hugs!!
Ellen….Love it. You are absolutely on to something. I don’t find it strange at all.
One of my great guides in life, who happened to be my music theory teacher, said that he could teach anyone to play music. When he initially told me that, I thought ‘yeh, sure’. After working with him for 7 years, practically every week, my soul said ‘oh yes he can.’ You are so right about the practice. Working to get to the essence of who we are is a marathon…not for the weak of heart.
In the way that only you can write, you’ve made your point beautifully. xxoo-Fran
Elle, maybe you can come back to England and teach some different songs to the birds in my garden:-)
You might not want my particular brand of ‘bird training’ Arvind…they’re not paying any attention to my British birds at all. Although this morning, I thought, just briefly that I heard a mockingbird with a slightly different trill…of course I have a vivid imagination. Hey ho…my personal training continues unabated so that’s a good thing. 🙂