Zen Lessons From a Red Winged Blackbird

Zen lessons from a Red winged blackbird:

yesterday morning, sunrise walk and my usual routine of receiving earliest light and the many benefits that it offers, physical, emotional, and spiritual. This is one of my favorite parts of the day, regardless of weather, or time of the year, 30 minutes of walking and an entire world opens up to me, life presents itself through so many beautiful and extraordinary ways right outside my door. On this particular morning, a Red winged blackbird disputed his territory with me, letting me know in no uncertain terms that I should hurry on my way and stay clear of that section of the path. After swooping down and providing a light knock against my head, there was little need to argue the point.

the Red winged blackbird was concerned about his nest.

and I was only passing through.

happy to concede that section of the path to him.

it’s amazing that such a small, beautiful bird would be so fearless, warning me to stay clear and giving no regard to the difference of our size. Several days ago I watched one harass a deer that was feeding too close to his nest and chase her across a field and into the nearby woods. The bird had a clear aerial advantage, mobile in flight, and the deer never stood a chance in her confusion. To flee was simply the…