Creating Recovery

Life Imitates Life: The Story of Little Brown Bird

Little Brown Bird soared high over an open meadow. Attracted to the striking red blooms below, he swooped down for a closer look. As he hovered above the blossoms, he spied some fat, juicy grubs wriggling in the earth. He lit on a flower stem, and was just about to hop to the ground, when out of the tall grasses strolled a sleek gray cat! Hoping the cat had not already noticed him, Little Brown Bird quickly pulled the petals of the flower around his tiny body and then stayed very still.

After a long while, his mother (who had been watching from above) called, “Little Brown Bird, it’s safe to come out now.”

With a grateful chirp he stretched his wings. To his utter astonishment, his little brown body was now striking red!

“Flower,” cried Mother Brown Bird in horror, “what have you done with my Little Brown Bird!”

“It’s me, Mother,” the little bird called back, “And I have a fantastic idea!”

Little red-coated Brown Bird had realized that, disguised as a flower, he would not easily be recognized. Cat or no cat, he could safely gobble fat, juicy grubs at the feet of those striking red flowers. And he did just that.

Before long, the meadow was full of red-coated Brown Birds dining on fat, juicy grubs.

Until the grubs caught on, that is.

The world is a ball of perpetual change. Seasons rotate. Conditions shift. Life ends as it begins anew and old forms take on new shapes. It has always been so.

Life imitates life.

We are a part of this cycle of renewal, or recycling. As we adapt to changing conditions we, consciously or unconsciously, take on characteristics modeled by other life forms. These characteristics may be new for us but they are, in themselves, not new. They already exist. As well, although we make changes in the way we think, act, look or feel, the essence of our true selves remains.

As you rebuild your life, where do you see yourself? Who or what inspires you? What will be your next step to bring security, peace and fulfillment into your everyday experience?

I have many resources to call upon as needed. I am secure, content, and at peace.