First Flight
Our resident Bluebird dad, ready to serve his brood meal worms last spring.
Last week, Ray and I were eating dinner outside when we noticed the male Bluebird body check a Purple Finch at the feeder. "That can only mean one thing," said Ray. "The babies are about to leave the nest." The dad was clearing the area.
For the next hour or so, as twilight deepened into evening, we silently sat at our posts, watching two different tiny heads take turns peeking out into the world for the first time. The parents were both nearby, patiently perched on different branches. Periodically, they would collect a seed or a worm and feed it to the babes, through the door. They never pushed the babies along. They just fed them, and waited. It was excruciating watching the little faces of the babes as they poked themselves out, another inch and then another... and then quickly retreated back inside. As the light disappeared, so did their courage.
Early the next morning, Ray came bounding up the stairs like a freight train. He'd seen one poking itself out much further than before. We made it to the window in time to see both of them, one at a time, slowly work up their nerve to take off into the world. The first one flew down to the bushes nearby where they'd seen their parents going. But the last one - the one who had seemed most trepidatious - finally shot out and UP, so far up that it seemed to take a while for the parents to find him and to follow.
While watching the baby birds' transition, I felt inspired about human transformation:
My best parenting was when I had my kids' backs, but let them fly on their own; when I modeled possible flight plans but then recognized that they could fly further and, more importantly, could trust themselves more if I got out of the way. In the end they flew, like that baby bird, much higher than I ever would have dreamed.
Transformation happens more easily with a belly full of good quality food . The parents kept bringing the babes meal worms while they waited for their first flights. Food is a way in which we can best provide help and love. We can't control our governments choices right now, but we can decide what to eat and feed our families.
As in parenting, my best coaching has been when I held space for the client to discover their own best flight plan.
Having a nurturing, loving cheerleader helps us to tune in to our own intuition (or instinct, in the case of the birds.)
I am feeling, like that baby bird, that it's time to take flight. I've had some amazing mentors and experiences and want to pass on what I've learned.
Though I have been coaching several people this year, and learning about nutrition for decades, I technically only became a certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach yesterday, when I took my last test at IIN. Whoo Hoo!!
I am eager to be there for anyone who is looking for some support right now, with food choices, immune boosting, parenting, or just peace of mind.
Your first health consultation (50 min.) is free. If you are feeling an urge to transform, please don't let a fear of the cost keep you from reaching out. I am very accommodating, right now. You can reply to this email or sign up for your free consult via the scheduling app. on my website. And please, pass this along to anyone who has been voicing a need for help with meeting their goals.
Lots of Love,
Madeline
