Empty Nest

As many of you have been following, we have had the somewhat rare experience of a hummingbird's nest inhabiting our ficus tree that sits outside our bedroom window.

About three weeks ago, we spotted the nest and "Mama H" sitting on it. When we peeked inside, what looked like a moldy peanut, wiggled...it was the chick showing signs of life! Daily we would open our curtains and watch Mama H sitting and sitting, rarely leaving for more than what seemed like a few minutes.

One morning during this time, I heard a thump on our window as I was getting ready for work. A stunned and splayed out hummingbird was on our outside rug. I panicked thinking it was Mama H and how was I going to raise this tiny chick? As I approached the stunned bird, it sped away as quickly as hummingbirds do.

This past Monday I looked at the chick and said, "You're getting to look like a big hummingbird. I don't think you'll be with us much longer". The next morning...the nest was empty.

For the next few days, I continued to look through our window at the empty nest with a mix of emotions- feelings of sadness that the daily growth of the chick was no longer visible; the ritual of Mama H feeding and sitting; but mostly how blessed we were to be witness to the perfection of nature. The nest survived windy days, people ogling, the threat of larger birds and all survived to continue on through the natural cycle of life.

My thoughts of the week are around being part of that cycle. Witnessing, appreciating, enjoying the process and ultimately letting go. From a yogic perspective, every thing is in transition and nothing is permament. It's human nature to seek stability by attaching ourselves to people and things, hoping this will give us a sense of security. We typically avoid uncertainty and the unknown, holding on as to give our selves a sense of permanence. Realizing that things change and shift on an on-going basis, allows us to appreciate the present moment to its fullest.

Take a deep breath and breathe in this moment, even as the chicks leave the nest and fly away into the unknown.