One of the good things about having hip surgery is having the time post-operatively to read terrific books, spend more time with family and friends, and catch-up on movies you’ve been wanting to watch. Last week, Marty and I were surfing the movie channels and came across a movie called, My Octopus Teacher. Considering we had just finished watching all the Jason Bourne movies, we figured we should switch to something with a little less adrenaline. Also, considering my obsession with all things related to nature and animals, I was immediately all in.
Well, the movie is AWESOME and I highly recommend it to anyone – even those who aren’t nature/animal nuts. I laughed. I cried (sad tears). I laughed some more. I cried some more (happy tears). And when the film ended, I felt uplifted. Made in 2020, it is a true documentary film about a South African diver’s encounter and ensuing relationship with an octopus and how his immersion in her world helped him find joy and purpose in his life.
Over the course of the next week, I thought back to that movie and how much I have learned about myself and others simply by watching nature. Even the simplest pleasure of watching birds congregate at the feeder just outside the window of my study has taught me lessons no workplace or university could.
Right now, as I write this post, there are sparrows, and finches, and wrens all sitting together on the platform feeder. Although the birds are of different species, different colors, and different sizes, there is no fighting, there is no violence. They are able to sit together and share food with one another.
Once the sparrows, the finches, and the wrens leave the feeder, a handsome red male cardinal, his female mate, and a male and female blue jay arrive to eat and chat. The contrast between the brilliant red feathers of the cardinals and the sky-blue feathers of the blue jays is striking and beautiful. But most noteworthy, is that once again, there is no conflict between the birds.
Next up are the woodpeckers, the geese, the ducks, the squirrels, the chipmunks, and the occasional crow, butterfly, bumble bee, and hummingbird. All thriving, all raising their families, and all sharing the same ecosystem.
Then, the cycle begins again.
Different species. Red and Blue. Male and Female.
Different races and cultures. Republicans and democrats. Gender
Living together. Eating together. Getting along.
Sometimes, the most important life lessons lie just outside our window.
