Being mindful of Mother Nature’s gifts

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Being mindful of Mother Nature’s gifts

Lately we’ve been enjoying the hummingbirds each morning on our back deck.

We have two hummingbird feeders and have been diligent about keeping the sugar water fresh. Early each day, we take our coffee and quietly sit, awaiting their brief stints at the feeders.

I’ve written before about how hummingbirds make me think of my mom. She loved watching the hummingbirds on her own porch and in the months after her passing, the small creatures would visit me more frequently than usual and hover for longer periods of time. I am confident this was her comforting me from afar.

Slowing down my pace of life is a new intention for me. After a bout of unexpected panic attacks in 2021, I realized I had minimal balance within my body between highly-stimulated, activated periods of living and slow and easy periods of living. Since then, it’s been a goal to listen to my body and relax when needed.

By relaxing, I don’t mean lounging around watching TV. For me, “relaxation” may involve long walks outside, time on the water, being truly present with my loved ones, reading, disconnecting from technology and being playful. These are the things that nourish me and soothe my nervous system.

This summer, especially, I’ve made these intentions a priority. Last week, we only had one child at home while the other three were enjoying an experience called Wilderness Trail. This left my 11-year-old son home all week without siblings. I decided to make it somewhat of a staycation where he and I spent quality time together. We went to an Asheville Tourist game, horseback riding at Smokemont, mini-golfing in Maggie Valley and had fun with some activities at Lake Junaluska. It wasn’t anything extravagant, but it was a series of special moments between him and me. Even though we were busy, I still felt relaxed at the week’s end because I allowed myself to be playful and mindful.

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Along with being playful, I’m realizing more and more how glorious it is to simply be still. Past generations had silence inherently built into their lives. Being connected to technology 24-7 was an unfathomable option. In the past, people sat at the dinner table without phones dinging in the background. They only watched the news once a day. They sat on porches or took walks in the evenings. In the car, they talked to each other and maybe kids fought in the backseat, but at least they weren’t isolated behind earbuds and a device.

Technology has afforded us many luxuries and efficiencies, but at the same time, it’s made our world very noisy. All of this noise wreaks havoc on our nervous systems, making us feel activated more than necessary. The good news is, we have control over how much “noise” we allow into our lives.

Some people need a wake-up call to realize this. The panic attacks, as stressful as they were, helped me understand there was too much external stimulation in my realm. I’m a person who requires harmony between hectic commotion and quiet time. I’m grateful to have realized this. Interestingly, I’m feeling more productive and in control in this new state of mind than I felt in my previous hustle-and-bustle state. By giving my mind and body the rest it needs, I’m more focused and creative when the time comes to work and produce.

As we watch the hummingbirds each day, I’m becoming increasingly intrigued by them. They’ve always been lovely and symbolic for me, but these days, I’m also curious about their prowess as a species. The simple fact they flap their wings so fast it creates a humming noise is astonishing. Additionally, they are only found in the Western Hemisphere of the globe. How lucky are we to live where they live?

They can travel 500 miles in a single go and visit up to 1,000 flowers a day. Even though they understandably prefer natural nectar over sugar water in bird feeders, they’ll still visit your feeder if you keep it clean and replace the water frequently. As a little tip, only use regular sugar as opposed to honey or another type of sweetener. Also, don’t use food coloring. Apparently, some folks feel hummingbirds are more attracted to colored water, but that’s a myth and the coloring could harm them.

I don’t remember watching hummingbirds when I was a little girl, but I want my kids to know about them and make it a part of their early morning routine as they grow up. The morning hours are sacred in their own right. Watching the hummingbirds is a cherry on top.

As my life unfolds, I can feel myself gaining the wisdom that only comes with experience and lessons learned. Each day I understand more and more the importance of love and gratitude, and not only love and gratitude for one another but also for Mother Nature and all she has to offer our hearts, souls and minds. Whether it’s the sound of a running creek, a full moon in a dark sky, or a tiny, incredible hummingbird drinking sweet nectar, these are the things that truly matter. It’s not social media or news coverage or political unrest, it’s the micro-moments of our days that, if we allow them, encourage us to be the best versions of ourselves.

(Susanna Shetley is a writer, editor and digital media consultant with The Smoky Mountain News, Smoky Mountain Living and Mountain South Media. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..)

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