The Seabird’s Message

The moment I opened the curtains, I could see it was a beautiful frosty morning, the kind of day I love, so I headed out for a walk. The sun was shining on the water creating a golden path which seemed to stretch all the way across the river to the other side. The water was gently lapping onto the shore and there was hardly a cloud in the azure blue sky.  I was thoroughly enjoying the reverie when I was interrupted by a noisy bunch of seabirds, squawking loudly, wings flapping and jostling for position over breakfast. Not much further along, there was a section of the beach that was quiet. Ok, perhaps it didn’t have the abundance of food that was at the other end, but it was peaceful and the birds were slowly walking along the shoreline, eating as they went. No noise, no jostling, no fuss, just quietly feeding in a more tranquil setting.

It got me thinking about our lives, which are often so busy, and how our priorities jostle for position. We’re on mobiles, iPads, and laptops, grabbing food to go, as we go from one activity to another. Sometimes I feel there is nowhere quiet, shops have music playing, there appears to be even more traffic on the road, emergency sirens sound, and even restaurants can be noisy, making conversation difficult. I know at times I feel as if my mind is jangling from overstimulation due to the noisy world around me. Important things like silence, stillness, prayer and meditation are pushed to the side or not seen as a priority. The birds taught me a lesson, it was a reminder that in a quiet space, I can truly appreciate the beauty that’s all around, and listen to that still small voice within.

Rae Walker