The squirrels have not been as playful lately and the Cardinal that knocks on my window has been unusually quiet. Several times I have seen large birds drifting overhead. I have even witnessed my forest friends scatter as one of these large birds swooped passed.
Last night as my family sat in the kitchen we noticed the lack of wildlife again. Peering up through the window there were six, what I think are called Turkey Vultures, roosting in our trees. (And to give an idea of their size in this picture, these trees are taller than our 2-story house.)
Many people in the neighborhood have asked the same questions I have: What died? And how do we get these birds to move on?
Last night I was in a cranky mood and despite having plenty of hours of opportunity to sleep I find myself getting up tired and cranky again. I find myself asking what's changed? How do I get back to a balanced place and my positive, friendly self?
It's a choice to be positive. Nothing is keeping me from it but myself. There is always the possibility that lack of sleep mixed with some hormone shifts are factors at play but that doesn't mean I am powerless.
Part of what keeps me in that mindset is the judgment I give myself about it. So step one for me is to let that go and remind myself we all have rough days. Next I need to do some visualizing on how I want to be responding. And last but not least, for me, I need some hugs and positive interactions. So I will choose who I interact with and what energy I give out and except in my space.
I'm grateful for these birds serving as a reminder how easily negativity and crankiness can take roost if the energy is right. I'm grateful to identify the feelings that allow them to settle in and I'm grateful to consciously make an effort to choose differently. I'm grateful for spinach and other healthy foods that help me to make sure hormones are not one of the factors. I'm grateful to know that the cranky mood, like these birds, will pass with a little attention. I'm grateful for my husband's efforts to make me laugh this morning.
What is roosting in your energy today? What mood and energy do you want to live in this week?
May today grant us awareness. May we choose our mood and responses consciously. And may we release any judgments or guilt that hold us down. Have a beautiful day!