The Hummingbird Dance

 

Yesterday morning I was about to step out into my garden when I noticed a yellow humming bird flying around a flowering plant at the right balustrade. I held my steps and stood very still watching it sucked nectar from one flower before flipping on to the next flower. I like to watch humming birds hanging delicately on the stalks with their long thin beaks reaching into the flowers. They are however very sensitive to movement and the moment you try to step a bit nearer to take a photo they promptly fly away.

There is something unusual about this bird though. I was watching it from a distance at the doorstep, afraid once I stepped into the garden it would fly away. Having enough of the nectar, instead of flying away or onto another flowering plant, it flew towards the doorway where I was standing and did a flapping dance in mid air right before my very eyes about 2 feet from me. I watched its tiny wings fluttering in quick movements which lasted quite awhile. I smiled at it and was overwhelmed with emotions. We connected. It felt like one of my deceased relatives was reaching out to me.

Later in the day it occurred to me that yesterday happened to fall on the first day of the seventh lunar month. The Taoists and certain Buddhiss believe that during this month the spirits of the deceased are free to roam the earth.

Nature's way

 

When you meet old friends after a long while you may be taken aback by how they have aged. Likewise you begin to wonder whether they think the same about you. When you chance upon a brightly lit mirror that reflects your shockingly true image you are aghast at how much your cheeks have sagged and the eyelids have drooped.

So this month I crossed another year which brings me nearer to the big 70. Usually birthdays don't bother me much but the past month I was dealing with health problems that cropped up one after another reminding me of the depreciation of my body machine. (It never occurred to me that I need to provide for accelerated depreciation thinking the straight line method is sufficient). Perhaps it was the initial Covid infection which weakened the whole system. Old problems resurfaced. So after Covid, it was acid reflux or Gerd which actually has been inactive for quite awhile. Before I could finish the course of medicine for Gerd, I had a severe tonsilitis attack which needed antibiotics that further exacerbated the Gerd. Then at night the sinus problem flared up disturbing my sleep and making me feel weaker. So you see when you are getting old you must avoid getting sick because a train of ailments will be triggered by the first. Now I also understand why elderly people carry plastic baskets of medication and have reminder systems or detailed medication schedules (before food, after food, once daily, three times daily, upon waking up, before bedtime). Phew! Is that nature's way to keep dementia away.

Nevertheless birthday celebrations is a must despite the pain and fatigue. Initially you feel like being dragged along so not to be a 'kill-joy'. But without fail you find yourself enjoying the fun, the merriment and the warmth. You are reminded of all the blessings you have. So what if the body aches and the stomach rumbles.

Right action

 

Sometimes I shudder at the thought of the multiple or rippling effects of a single action. Of course this was triggered when coming across news that 250 thousand workers in India's diamond cutting and polishing industry were laid off arising from western sanctions on Russian diamond suppliers ( impact of Russia/Ukraine war).

As I ponder I realize even an individual's small action can have far reaching effect. For example there is this case where the negligence of 2 employees of an eldercare service provider caused the death of an elderly resident. The driver of the van forgot to apply the brake of the wheel chair while another healthcare worker did not hold onto the wheelchair properly. Unintentional acts but that of an unfocused mind. Again one wonders what caused the driver to be less attentive and the worker to have a less firm grip. Could something have happened at home or at work that distracted the driver (perhaps arising from yet another person's actions)? Could some physical discomfort have caused a loss of strength for the healthcare worker? The two are charged in court for performing a negligent act. This will have a rippling effect on each individual member of their family not to mention their colleagues. 

In the most common day to day example, an improper comment or some slightly impolite behaviour may cause an aggressive reaction from the recipient if they happen to be in foul mood. This will escalate tension and create adverse rippling effect on people who cross their path and it spreads on and on in widening circles.

It bears to remember how our every action or words can have consequences we may not even imagine. We must practice and practice and practice continuously to be mindful.

"I come here empty-handed, and I go empty-handed. My actions are my only true belongings. I cannot escape the consequences of my actions. My actions are the ground on which I stand.”

Thích Nhất Hạnh