June 9, 2019: Distracted by birds……….and so much more.
“The air is crowded with birds — beautiful, tender, intelligent birds — to whom life is a song.” » George Henry Lewes
Since childhood, I’ve vacillated between lengthy periods of intense concentration, to a mental olympics with a mind that can sprint at warp speed with details, ideas, and distractions.
Even as a child, I could read voraciously for hours, yet struggled in classes where the topic didn’t hold my attention. In reading teacher comments from long ago report cards, it would describe “a very bright child, an underachiever whose head was often in the clouds.” In those days, the diagnosis A.D.D. wasn’t a factor . Having parents who both went to Ivy League schools led to expectations that I would perform at a much higher academic level. It took me a significant number of years to learn how to manage my overactive brain and excel at school. It took me even longer to appreciate the grasshopper qualities in my head.
Today, I still have a laser focus working on something that captures my attention, whether it’s creating jewelry, gardening, photography, reading or watercolors. Some things I still struggle with; in particular time management and staying focused on necessary, projects that hold little interest. Over the years, I’ve read enough books and learned strategies to help; ranging from phone apps to handwritten day logs. Exercise and meditation also are also a great reliever for racetrack thoughts. At this stage of my life, I’ve stopped berating myself that I’m not “less scattered and more organized” having realized that there are gifts that come with an overactive brain. Creativity is just one of them. The ability to quickly analyze a situation and come up with viable solutions is another. Getting sidetracked, which still occurs, can be considered not a detriment , but at times, a joy.
At this time of year, when everything is blooming, my daily distractions involve feathered visitors and flowers.
This week while working diligently on on my laptop, I heard a loud chattering and flutter of wings. Right outside my slider, there was a huge pileated woodpecker on one of our feeders. My focus quickly shifted from the task at hand to watching this magnificent bird. My camera was fortunately beside me. The brilliant blue sky and sun beckoned and I couldn’t resist. I headed outdoors. After the woodpecker flew off, I continued to sit quietly on the deck for the next half hour, watching and photographing the birds visiting one of our 16 feeders.
I eventually returned back to my tedious paperwork. The necessary clerical tasks of running a business and/or household are continuous. But this small side trip of time energized me and my heart was full.
I am distracted by birds, beauty in nature, a wildflower by the side of a path, and a myriad of other gifts of life. In reflection, I could always be more disciplined with my belongings, focus, and time, but now see some distractions as ones that truly add richness to my world and for that, I am forever grateful.