Worthy Few: Remaining Present

And a simple guide to bird beaks

Hey friend! How are you doing this week? In my world, I am experiencing and witnessing some difficult transitions recently—illness, identity changes, and death. Each of them creates waves of varying sizes, and I normally face them head-on with my illusory tools of order and control. This time, however, I looked to nature for some wisdom on how to proceed. Her words were swift and clear: surrender and be present.

And so I have been trying to do just that, each day. An intentional presence allows me to see what is meaningful and real. It reminds me to put down my phone, engage with all of my senses, and find magic in the mundane. It’s still a new practice for me, but it is a refreshing way to approach the constant change in life. May this be a reminder to you to remain present and hold loosely onto the things we love. Take care!

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Beautiful sounds to remind you to stay present:

Corinthian Wind Chime

I have always wanted a large wind chime in my garden that fills the air with deep, resonate music. This week, I stopped at my local gardening store and spent a while ringing the different chimes until I found one that felt right for me. It is now hanging outside my living room window, near my raised bed gardens. Every time I hear it ring, it is a reminder for me to be still, be present, and take a breath. It is a lovely addition to our space and it really does work.

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A magazine about mindfulness and wellbeing:

Breathe Magazine

I am a sucker for magazines with good fonts, lovely graphics, and thick, matte pages. This one hits all the notes, and the articles are actually very good. Topics range from reflection exercises to nature activity to inspirational reads. While there is plenty of cliche and impractical ideas of wellbeing, I find that these stories offer honest and helpful ways to improve. Find it at a local grocery or book shop! Here’s a quote that resonated for me:

You are the one person who can change your life—surround yourself with inspiring beings and believe in your ability to bring about change.

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Some more birding basics:

All About Beaks

Beaks can tell you a lot about a bird: their habitat, what they eat, how they eat. They also influence the kind of sounds a bird makes. After birdwatching for a bit, I noticed that some birds preferred to eat off the ground, while others preferred to sit at the feeder. Some seemed to enjoy cracking hard sunflower shells, while others only seemed interested in the tiny pieces of millet. All birds have unique preferences and their beak can clue you into a lot of that!

Armed with some basic terms about how beaks are used, you can easily infer some other details about how and where a bird may live. Use the guide below to recognize the shape of a beak and explore more about birds you see!

• Hunting: Birds of prey, such as a vulture, use hooked beaks to capture and tear up their food.

• Fishing: Water birds, like this heron, have many unique ways of catching food in the water, such as scooping, netting, and skimming.

• Cracking: Cone-shaped beaks are common for songbirds and allow them to eat all kinds of grains, seeds, and nuts.

• Gripping: Owls and parrots have stout beaks that allow them to hold firmly onto their food while they tear it apart.

• Chiseling: Long, pointed beaks allow woodpeckers to make holes to search for food and shelter.

• Filtering: Flamingos have interesting beaks that allow them to scoop up their food and filter out the water.

• Suckling: Small birds, like hummingbirds, sip nectar and nutrients from flowers.