There are so many kinds of birds that show up in Laguna Woods. Each type is unique. Some stay for just a little while, and others hang around all the time.
Hawks and crows abound here. High-flying hawks soaring in circles above us are in danger if they come near the nest of a crow. Those smaller black birds that make so much noise will chase that hawk away from their young, or from the nest of any other bird. The hawks fly away in fear of the smaller birds.
Crows have a language of their own and will call other crows for help to chase away anything that threatens them. They will warn others when danger is near, or invite them to a plentiful supply of food. Crows form families and communities and rally around one another in a kinship of support.
That is a lesson we can learn from those pesky birds.
We have been taught to be strong and self-sufficient when actually we are social creatures who thrive in relationships. We need a sense of belonging. Feeling connected to other people satisfies our need for love, acceptance and support, boosting our self-esteem and providing that sense of belonging.
Author Margaret Wheatley wrote, “Our seemingly separate lives become meaningful as we discover how truly necessary we are to each other.”
Some of us might have difficulty asking for help when we are facing a tough situation. Chances are that the people around us have the same difficulty. We were raised in a do-it-yourself era when self-sufficient was the way to be.
How many of us have difficulty asking for help? Or telling someone that we have a need?
Charlie Mackesy wrote, “Asking for help isn’t giving up. It’s refusing to give up.”
At any stage of our life, we can change our narrative about what we “should” be able to do ourselves; we can become like crows, knowing that together anything is possible.
Our lives can thrive in this community as we develop our sense of belonging together.
The Rev. Linda McNamar is a Laguna Woods Village resident.
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