Recently I have upped my efforts to acquaint myself with birdsong. I can just about recognise robin, magpie, chiff chaff, blue tit, great tit, the obvious ones like cuckoo and wood pigeon (coo coo – so cute), probably a variety of crows that I just call Crow.
During my earlier walk, I wasn’t seeing many birds because the trees are all poofy. But I was hearing them and recognising (most of) them (or at least imagining I was) so it felt like I was seeing them. I feel more connected to my surroundings because I know them better – the sounds of birds, the types of trees and wildflowers.
And I thought about how this is the same with anything, including emotions and aspects of self. When we can recognise and name them, we feel connected to them. We might not like them but we can appreciate them for where they’re from and what they bring. I don’t want butterflies flapping around me but I can appreciate their importance and beauty.
That’s it really. Just an example of grounding. It just struck me because I was doing it without thinking. I didn’t have to decide to dedicate time to mindfulness and grounding. My walks have become even more mindful and grounding thanks to birdsong.
