Monday, September 30, 2013

Mastering Adaptability


I've become slightly obsessed with our hummingbird feeder. Maybe it's because those little crack addicts come back to eat about every ten minutes throughout the day. Or maybe it's because they're such a contrast to my other daily companions—the two fur-covered giant slugs that pretend to be cats.

Having jumped into the pool of all that is woo woo in recent years, I couldn't help but swim over to the deep end and Google what hummingbird spirits represent from an energetic standpoint. I loved what I found.
  • Hummingbirds represent enjoyment of life and lightness of being.
  • They symbolize adaptability, swiftness, and ability to respond quickly. 
  • They advocate bringing playfulness and joy into your everyday life.
  • They're resilient and can tirelessly travel long distances.
  • They are present and enjoy the sweet things.
  • As a spirit guide animal, their purpose is to lift up negativity. 
You guys, I totally want to be a hummingbird.


I want to be more adaptable and lighter. I don't want to let a flea problem in my house put me into a tailspin. I want to enjoy the sweet things and keep finding playfulness. And maybe learn to fly backwards...

Last week I was scanning TV channels and I found a show about these birds on National Geographic. Fascinating. Their little hearts beat 1200 times a minute when they're flying. About 8000 plant species depend on hummingbirds for reproduction. They expend so much energy flying that they have to perch and rest 80% of the time. And they have to eat every 15 minutes. Thus, the addiction-like behavior at our feeder.

I think these little guys are something to aspire to be like. Fast and active and playful when in flight. Then relaxed the rest of the time. Seems like the perfect balance.


My new mantra during harried work days has become, "Be adaptable like the hummingbird." I'm hoping that focusing on that attitude will help me keep my wings flapping to the beat of greater joy.

8 comments:

  1. Great post!! Very inspirational...I too want to be more like the hummingbird!!! thanks!!

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    1. They're very inspiring. I'm glad to have the reminder outside my sliding glass door on a daily basis!

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  2. I want to be more like the hummingbird (or any bird or animal, I guess) in that they are not concerning themselves with the past. That is probably where all that lightness comes from. Sigh.

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    1. Ooh I think you're onto something. I need to not concern myself with the future, either. Maybe we should start drinking more sugar water, too. ;)

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  3. Just don't take on their need to eat every 15 minutes and I think you'll do just fine as a hummingbird. =)

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    1. Haha normally I can stick to that but today I bought a bag of candy corns and was pretty much just as bad as the birds are.

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  4. I wouldn't mind me a hummingbird. Although lately I feel like my heart is pounding at hummingbird rate without their joie de vivre.

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    1. That's not good! I think you need a vacation or more bubble baths.

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Well, whatdya think?