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The Loving Mother
Lessons from a Dove
All of us long for a loving mother. Many of you may feel like abandoned children, having grown up with mothers who did not cater to your needs properly. Therefore, you may be continually searching for nurturing from others. Some of you may even be mothers yourself, and are struggling with your duties as parents. Outside forces may easily distract you for caring for your children. As May is the month usually devoted to the celebration of mothers (at least in the USA), I felt it appropriate to tell the story of a most inspirational mother.
I have always loved birds, especially doves. I have a large tree in my backyard and oftentimes, there will be over a dozen doves sitting in that tree at one time. Although they have been known to perch on the window ledge and make nests in the bushes on the east side of my house directly outside my bedroom, I love to wake up in the morning to the sound of their cooing.
A few years ago, I noticed a mother dove had planted herself on top of the far corner post of my fence. As I went to investigate, I realized she had a nest on top of that post. She did not move for weeks. Finally, a little baby dove emerged and I watched curiously as that little one learned to fly. It took several days before it could fly successfully. The little bird took small steps to learn to fly, first mastering the bottom rung of my fence, then the top rung, and finally taking off across the yard. Without the constant care of the mother dove, this tiny bird would not have been able to accomplish this feat.
Within the last week, another dove has settled into a new nest in my yard. The bird, quite industrious, made a nest in an abandoned, hanging flower basket. Located right outside my back door on the patio, the basket hangs from a curved, inverted wrought iron hook attached to the east patio wall. Therefore, the hanging basket and makeshift bird's nest protrudes approximately one foot from the wall and is situated about five feet in the air, safely tucked away from other intruders, such as cats and squirrels.
Since its discovery, I find myself quite drawn to watch and protect the bird. The mother bird rarely leaves the nest. It can sit for almost twenty-four hours without moving. It is amazing. When my yardmen appeared the other day to cut the grass, I gave strict instructions not to disturb the nest. The bird did fly off during all the commotion. However, within hours, she lovingly appeared again and took up her position over the small egg.
There are other birds in nature, such as mockingbirds and blue jays, who have built nests in my yard. However, no bird is ever as peaceful as the dove. Although mockingbirds sing beautifully, if you inadvertently get too close to their nests, they will dive bomb you incessantly. I have seen mockingbirds, and blue jays alike, attack many an animal that strayed too close to their young, including dogs, cats, squirrels and other birds.
However, the mothering instinctive behavior of the dove is more than just a force of nature. I believe the dove has true nurturing abilities. From my observations, I understand why the dove is considered the symbol of peace. Although I have walked very close to the nest, the bird simply flies away and does not attack. Furthermore, the bird returns despite any adversity. It simply waits patiently for things to change and calm down.
Furthermore, the dove has the additional patience of Job as it sits for hours and weeks, waiting for its egg to hatch. I have noticed the dove sit without moving during the cold, during severe weather, and during rain. Nothing seems to phase the bird from its mission of protecting its egg, not even the lack of food or shelter.
In today's society, everything is rush, rush, rush. Many of us become frustrated and angry if things we want to happen in our lives do not occur almost instantaneously, as we are accustomed to things moving at a quick pace. If others get in your way, you may attack them until they leave you alone. You may want change now. You may be unhappy with your relationships, job, financial situation, health, or life.
In Matthew 6 of the Bible, we learn that the spirit of God takes care of every creature, no matter how small. The dove is secure with this knowledge and does not drift from its course of creating a new life. It is the ultimate mother, both nurturing and peaceful. It continues to wait unwearingly for its egg to hatch.
Consider taking a lesson from the mother dove, bird of peace. Wait patiently for the new life you are birthing to come forth--the new life of spiritual ascension within you. No matter the cold attitudes of others, the winds of change, or the rain and storms of life, stay the course. Do not let others ruffle your feathers. Simply fly away from trouble and return to that place of peace when things have calmed down. Do not abandon your post and worry about other things. You will be taken care of by the spirit of God, just as occurs with the dove. In doing so, you will be rewarded with a new life-- a life that will allow you to soar high!
Why Do We Stay in Relationships Despite Evidence to the Contrary?
Who does not want or seek love? We will do just about anything to obtain it. Many of you are in dead-end relationships, but remain in those situations despite the fact there is abundant evidence that the relationship is doomed. Why do you stay, despite opposing data?
Each of us is a spiritual being living in a physical body. Within you there is a spiritual soul that is connected to everything--that soul is the spirit of God. However, when your soul enters the physical realm, you can become deluded that you have certain limits.
This is because the physical body does indeed have certain limitations--it only has access to the five senses of taste, smell, sight, sound and touch. Scientific study has proven that one can easily fool the physical senses. For instance, humans physically see an incomplete amount of colors--they cannot see infrared, ultraviolet, microwaves, gamma rays, X-rays, etc.; all part of the electromagnetic spectrum. Therefore, when presented with a full range of colors, a human being only sees the seven colors of the rainbow, and not the full band.
With these restrictions in place, the physical mind, or intellect, makes certain assumptions about situations as they happen. The mind can begin to sense everything around it as a threat, since its primary objective and job is to protect the body at all costs. Take for example, the first time you see your parents fight. You may witness anger between them, and other possible consequences of that disagreement. As a child, your physical body can store the experience of that conflict in your mind as dangerous.
Over time, your brain programs that experience as harmful, and it becomes hard to break the programming loop. Therefore, as you grow older, you may inadvertently stay in any destructive relationship because the current program running in your head is attempting to protect you. You do not want to hurt someone else or cause conflict because you have incomplete data showing you that to do so would bring harm to you.
However, once you recognize that your physical body is simply doing its job, and that as a spiritual being, you are connected to everything, including unlimited love, you can begin to break the cycle of the physical faulty program. You no longer need to stay. If a relationship is not working, recognize that you have the ability and innate help to leave--it comes from the spirit within, giving you strength to change any circumstance.
Love Conflicts
Determining When to Move On
How can one determine when it is time to leave a relationship? You could simply listen to the spirit within. Although the physical side works within imperfect parameters, the spiritual side of you has absolutely no limits. The sixth sense, or gut instinct, can tell you the most beneficial path to take with regard to your relationship.
However, even though the Creator has endowed all of us with sixth sense ability, sometimes a person may have not fully developed the skill to listen to their gut instinct. Therefore, when faced with a difficult relationship, many people oftentimes ask others for their opinion of the situation.
There is a prolific saying, 'Death comes in threes.' The statement is more profound than merely giving a prediction about death. It also provides a good standard for weighing the validity of toxic situations.
I enjoy playing blackjack. Years ago, when I first learned how to play the game, I discovered a useful strategy to increase my winnings. I adhered to a strict policy once I began playing at a blackjack table. If I lost three hands in a row, I would get up from the table and go to another table. The same approach works for anything in life. If you lose three times; then, consider it a death and change directions.
If you do ask others for their opinion and three people give you the same answer, it is more than likely their opinion is valid. It is up to you to accept or ignore it. That is the essence of free will, which the spirit of God has given to you. However, it is beneficial to note that if you have to ask the same question three or more times, then you may certainly be wrong in your thinking. Three is the magic number. Therefore, if three or more people tell you that the relationship is dead, consider their observed advice as gold and leave before you lose your life--your happiness.
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My greatest joy is spreading happiness and joy to others by helping them to heal from any adversity. If there is anything I can do to assist you in that process, or if you ever have any questions, please do not hesitate to drop me a line at: cindy@cherbchronicles.com
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To Your Happiness and Joy!
Cindy L. Herb
"The Joyful Survivor" |
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