eyes wide open: every day is new {day 19}

While I sit here at the computer, my little yellow canary, Gideon, flits about his cage. He stops to preen, then looks out the window at some birds in the bushes, all the while making those tiny jerky bird movements with his head. After that, he hops down to the clear plastic feeder and eats a few seeds. It is so amazing to me how little he eats. I guess that's where the saying, "he eats like a bird" comes from. He then hops over to the bell that is hanging under his swing, and makes clicking noises with his beak at his own reflection dangling there. 

Every morning, when I uncover his cage from the night darkness, he is already awake and has beckoned me to his cage with a few chirps. Sometimes even singing before I can get him uncovered. He is never in a bad mood. At least he doesn't show it if he is. I like that. In that way, I want to be like him. 

Gideon

It baffles me that he seems as happy as can be in his cage. I feel bad sometimes that he lives in such a small space. But, my daughter reminded me one time, mom, remember, he has such a little brain that to him his cage is  just enough. He is not like us. You know what? She is very wise. 

What does talking about my canary's daily living habits have to do with eyes wide open: seeing with new eyes? Gideon reminds me each morning when I uncover him, that it is a new day. A day to make a fresh start. A day to rejoice in, to live carefree, and to enjoy the space in which I live. 

And, when evening comes and it's time to go to bed, just fluff up my pillow and with no worries, go to sleep.

see day 1 for a list of all 31 posts

What to do while you're waiting for new feathers

My little yellow canary, Gideon, has stopped singing. He's lived with me for two seasons now though, so I have learned not to be alarmed. Along with his lull in song, his downy feathers have started littering the floor beneath his cage. He is molting. 

The first year I had him and his feathers started to fall out, it freaked me out! I went online to read about canaries and learned about their yearly molting. I also read that the canary either sings very little, or quits singing during this time of growing new feathers because it takes a lot of energy.

I am happy to report that during this two month window of no songs bellowing from his little chest, he happily tweets and chirps daily. Especially if the dishwasher or washing machine are running. His cage sits right by my living room window so he can see the other birdies outside. He loves to chirp at them when they dart past his little black eyes.

Gideon's got me thinking. Again. There are times that I want to break out in full song because life is full. It's going well. Things are clicking along like the keys on my keyboard as I type. But then, there are other days when I only have the energy to get out a few chirps or tweets. I'm friendly and happy, but just....resting. 

Gideon needs time to rest from singing to grow new feathers. I often need time to rest while it feels like I'm growing new feathers. I really do want to "fly" in life. I want to have the energy to soar not only into my destiny, but to do the laundry cheerfully. To clean out a closet with joy. 

While I wait for my new wings, I choose to pause, rest, and enjoy the view.