I sit in my armchair, gazing at the tree outside my window. I’m wondering where my favourite bird is. It’s been a while since I’ve seen her. I wish she would come more often.
But most of the time, my bird is not there. The tree is empty. I sit there getting anxious and upset. “When is this bird going to come. I get so much pleasure from her - and I feel so unhappy when she’s not around.”
I stick my head out of the window.
“Where the hell are you - you stupid bird! Don’t you care about me? Why are you doing this to me? Don’t you see - I need you so that I can be happy.”
But the bird was off doing her own thing. Being happy and free. That was her true nature.
Finally, the bird landed in the tree. I felt so happy. My bird was here. But then I started to worry. How long is she going to stay? What if she leaves? I need to find some way of keeping her here.
And so I couldn’t really enjoy her company because of all this fear and tension that I may lose her.
Sure enough, the bird eventually flew off - and there was I, left to drown in my sorrows.
I sat there feeling angry and frustrated with this selfish bloody bird!
I was so sad and depressed. I cried out to the heavens, “I’m so lonely and so afraid of being left here on my own without my bird.”
And a soft, gentle voice inside me whispered, “Look at the tree.”
At that moment, everything changed. I looked up at the tree. “My god! That tree is so beautiful! Why have I never noticed that before?”
And my heart was filled with joy and appreciation at the beauty of this magnificent creation. The loneliness and fear were gone. In it’s place was a sense of wonder and love.
Soon enough, the bird dropped in. “Chirp! Chirp!”I was so happy to see her.“Ah, my friend. Welcome! It’s good to see you!”
I listened to the sweet music of her song. And I was so engrossed with the tune, that I forgot all about the fact that she would soon be leaving. I was so much loving these few moments together.
Then off she flew.
And I felt so grateful. “Goodbye my friend. Thank you so much for your company. It was a pure delight!”
And again, I looked at the tree. It had been raining and the leaves were glistening and shimmering in the morning sun. The tree was swaying gently in the breeze.
Then I noticed the blueness of the sky - and how peaceful and quiet it’s colour made me feel.
And the incredible beauty of the endless shapes and forms of the clouds as they passed through.
As I looked and listened, everything came alive.
It was a complete symphony!
The sun, the wind, trees, clouds, hundreds of birds chirping away. Cars zooming, tradesmen hammering, neighbours chattering. Rock music pumping in the distance. It was all part of the grand overture of life.
And suddenly I realised.
I had wasted so much time and energy focusing on that one little bird, that I had missed everything else. The symphony of life is so wide and varied. So many different and beautiful parts. So much to appreciate and enjoy.
But it was like I had sat through a whole musical performance, focusing on one tiny violin. Anxiously awaiting it to play. Tense while it was playing. Disappointed when it had finished. The orchestra had played the most majestic music - but I had missed most of it because of my narrow perspective.
At last I felt truly alive!
And as a hush fell all around, I listened to the silence.
Ever so softly, in the distance, I heard the sweetest of tunes. The most beautiful melody of all.
As I listened - it came closer and closer. Louder and louder. “Where is this beautiful music coming from?” I looked everywhere - up, down, in all directions. Nothing!
All at once, the music exploded through me - filling my entire being.
And the voice inside me burst into song “This melody is you. It is your true self. It is distinct and unique. Separate from all others. But an integral and essential part of the symphony of life. Do not suppress it. Do not try to change it. Just let it play freely. The only thing you need to do in order to be happy is to dance to your own tune - and allow it to carry you away with it, no matter where it may lead. Don’t be lead astray by the influence and demands of others. It is up to them to discover their own melodies. You cannot do that for them. The symphony will take care of itself. Do not try to change or interfere with it. It is as it was meant to be. Your purpose in life is to get out of the way of your self and stop interfering.”
I rejoiced and danced to the music.
I had discovered who I was and how I fitted in to life.
And I knew I would never be really alone again.
