Bird by Bird ??

What happens when you create space for growth?

GROWTH! ??

For years, a small bed in our backyard was overgrown with weeds. It sits outside our kitchen nook with a great overlooking picture window.

Recently I decided to clean it up, refresh the soil, plant flowers, mulch, etc. and, after seeing a couple cardinals flitting around my yard, install bird feeders (and a couple garden gnomes for good measure). The activity itself was mindful and cathartic.

Built it and they came ?????????

The ripple effects to this clearing out of weeds, and creating a new fertile space where there was room for healthy nature?

Flowers bloomed, birds (Cardinals, Hummingbirds, Chickadees and others I'm not smart enough to identify) arrived, squirrels scheme to break into the bird feeders, and the dogs attentively stand watch at the backdoor hoping for any opportunity to spring into all the fun (and the fallen seeds).

For me? It provides surprising spontaneous moments of entertainment, mindfulness, serenity and joy. ??

It makes me wonder what other areas of my life are cluttered in plain sight, but I have been too preoccupied to notice.

“What I know for sure is that when you declutter — whether it’s your home, your head, or your heart — it is astounding what will flow into that space that will enrich you, your life, and your family.”— Peter Walsh

Science! ??

In a recent 10% Happier with Dan Harris podcast episode -- The Science of Handling Uncertainty, guest Maya Shankar referenced a study of patients recovering from surgery. Those who had a room looking over a small set of trees recovered faster and were more emotionally resilient than those looking at a brick wall.

Maybe there is something to all this talk of the benefits of nature. (Google "forest bathing" ????)

Big Finish ??

Whether it's a decluttered yard, desk or mind, clearing out the "clutter" may allow for healthier things to grow, whether in the professional work place or personal head space.

So go pull those real metaphorical weeds and watch the life, beauty and contentedness that fills in. ??

??: Songbird, by Fleetwood Mac ("And the songbirds are singing, Like they know the score")

???: “Nature holds the key to our aesthetic, intellectual, cognitive and even spiritual satisfaction.” – E.O. Wilson

??: The Backyard Bird Chronicles, by Amy Tan; and The Hummingbirds' Gift, by Sy Montgomery