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LESSONS FROM AMONGST THE JASMINE

  • jnicholson36
  • Jun 22, 2021
  • 4 min read

 

In today’s world, we are all hustling and hurrying around. Between deadlines to meet and schedules to uphold, we are constantly multi-tasking. Often, it feels like we’re always needed in at least two places, 10 minutes ago. Everyday life can be hectic, but we carry on because that’s what it takes for everything to work, for us to be successful and to accomplish goals we have set for ourselves. Throughout everyday life, though, we occasionally need to stop and enjoy the things around us.

 

I was recently reminded of how important a “pause” can be recently. It was early in the morning; the birds were chirping and sounds of nature were all around. There was a slight breeze blowing, carrying the aroma of the star jasmine (which was in full bloom) across our back porch. My dogs were lying at our feet relaxing. Suddenly my granddaughter came walking up with a very small baby bird in her hands. She was upset because the baby bird had fallen from its nest. We checked out the little bird, and it didn’t seem to have any injuries. In hopes of reuniting the bird with its family, my granddaughter led me back to the tree that she found it under.


There, we carefully, with momma and poppa bird protesting very loudly, placed the tiny little bird back in the nest. For the next few weeks, my granddaughter checked on the little one every day. She would climb the tree next to the nest just to make sure it was still there. One afternoon, she came running to the house with tears running down her cheeks, telling me that she had looked everywhere, but could not find the baby bird. After a few deep breaths to calm her down, we went searching for the bird. The tree now had an empty nest and there were no signs of the little one. Then, we heard a tweet and a flutter. Up in the tree my granddaughter climbed every day, sat the little bird, momma, and poppa very close by. My granddaughter was so happy; she couldn’t believe that it was flying! Her happiness quickly turned to sadness, though, as she grew concerned that she would never see the bird again.


I spent the walk back to the porch consoling her, trying to explain that birds are meant to grow up and fly away. Then, just as we sat down, the little bird flew over and perched itself on the table right in front of my granddaughter. It fluttered and tweeted a couple of times, as if to say, “Thank you, I’ll be right here”, and then flew off into the jasmine. I’m pleased to say that same little bird can still be found tweeting and chirping around my backyard.


I wanted to share this story, because it brought me to this conclusion: yes, we all are involved in everyday life, the hustle and bustle of home and work, but the “pauses” in our busy lives are just as important. It’s okay to be busy. Yes, being busy helps to provide homes, cars, and the rest of our wants and needs. But at least every now and then, we need to stop, take a deep breath, look around and listen. If we don’t take a moment to pause, then, in what feels like the blink of an eye, we’ll be at the end of our careers or even our lives.


Work is good for us, but during all this work time, it's crucial not to miss the little things; like a small, helpless baby bird that has fallen from its home.


I have worked all over the United States in every phase of the construction industry for a very. long time. The knowledge that I have attained from those experiences is invaluable. But as I realized that day, even as old as we are, we can still learn something from a small child. To see my granddaughter, show such care and concern she felt for that baby bird reminded me that the little things in life deserve just as much attention as the big things. So, I want to encourage everyone to stop and take in the scenes around you. For me, this is sitting on my back porch, smelling the aroma of the jasmine in the breeze with the dogs lying around my feet, just listening to the sounds of nature. For me, that is the best recharge there is.


It’s time to find your version of a recharge, if you haven’t yet, or embrace it more fully if you have. Once you do, hold on and use it as often as you can.


I also recommend watching and listening to the children, as I can confidently say their joy, empathy, and attention to the small things is contagious.


Till Next Month.


Roy Hand

Quality Control Service Mgr.

Radix Grp.

New Orleans, LA

 

 
 
 

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