Recently we had the privilege of spending some time with our son and daughter-in-love in Tennessee. We drove there to welcome their new son into the world and to our family – he is our sixth grandchild. Little did I know how that visit would help me focus on my goals. And it’s all because of some hummingbirds…
How well do you focus?
One of my favorite things during that visit in Tennessee – other than holding the new grandbaby of course – was watching all the birds at their bird feeders. If we were very still, we could sit on a rocking chair on the porch and watch them just a few feet away. Those feeders were busy most of the day for the week and a half we were at their lake house. The hummingbird feeder was my favorite one to watch. I’ve seen a few hummingbirds various times before; however, the activity was always very calm and friendly compared to this.
Battle of the hummingbirds
At first, I could hear the whir and hum of the wings of a hummingbird. Those wings worked so fast to zip that bird from the nearby tree to the feeder. But stand still for 5 or 10 seconds, and wham! Another hummingbird flies in, from seemingly out of nowhere, and dive-bombs the sweet little innocent bird that was feeding. And in no time, that first sweet little bird is caught up in a fight. It was full-out dive bombing, one into the other – literally. A few times, 2 or 3 other hummingbirds would join in the battle.
I was taken aback at how these tiny little birds didn’t want to share that sweet water with each other. The crazy thing was, that feeder had 6 or 7 tubes, not just one! They all could have enjoyed lunch together if they hadn’t been so concerned about what the others were doing.
The lure of keeping up with others
Instead, they made quite a fuss as they loudly squawked and chattered at each other during their battles. Their cute little hum turned into a fierce buzz as they attacked each other, over and over again. I had no idea that such sweet looking, tiny little creatures could be so terrible to each other. These hummingbirds were nasty. Maybe they didn’t have good parents to teach them how to play nicely with others!
So what did I learn from these feisty, yet beautiful and fascinating little birds?
Be grateful for everything
It was a good reminder that no matter where we are in life – what hobbies, what job, what house, what car, how many children, how many grandchildren – we need to just appreciate where we are. It doesn’t matter if others have more or less, larger or smaller, more exciting or more calm, or whatever. We need to be grateful for who we are and what we have.
Focus on your own goals and work with all you have to make your life how you want it. If someone is further ahead than you – no matter. If someone is further behind than you – help them along if you can. Many times in life, I’ve been reminded that God doesn’t hold me accountable for someone else’s actions or in-actions. He only holds me responsible for my actions or lack thereof.
What goals are you working towards? Do you have them written out in your planner? Figure out what it is you need or want to achieve, then then put your head down and get busy.
Set your goals – then focus
One of the people I enjoy following is author Jon Acuff. I heard him speak at Barnes & Noble a few years ago on his latest book “Finish”, and his humor cracks me up. His latest event is the September January Challenge, which I joined. If you have a goal, consider jumping in for the month of September for this short challenge. https://acuff.me/2019/08/i-know-three-things/
I made a goal to spend 1-2 hours a day this month working at my blog. I’m not going to look at what grand things others are accomplishing and allow that to discourage me. I am only accountable for me. I need to focus on my own goals.
Each of us has things to do in life – much more than just find food like the hummingbirds. So how about you – do you have a goal you want to focus on this month? I encourage you to determine your priorities, set your goal, lay out the plan, and get started. And then stay focused on your goal, without letting yourself get sidetracked with what others are doing.
By the way – coming soon: online class to make your own junk journal. Check out this post in case you missed it: https://yourlifeinjournals.com/create-your-own-junk-journal/