The story of the hummingbird is deeply meaningful to Pattie and I. We try to remember the hummingbird on the difficult days.
We are going to have challenges and if we are pushing past our comfort zone and into our growth zone we are going to have challenges daily. The challenges range from simple, such as not having enough time in the day to catastrophic. The death of a loved one.
The story of the hummingbird is a Native American story that teaches about doing what one can in the face of extreme challenge. It’s not about a hero overcoming the powers of evil but of the most smallest of animals doing what she can.
You will find this wisdom repeat through all of time and here are some of my favorite. Heavily influenced by Optimize.me.
‘Don’t think about quitting. Don’t think about how hard it’s going to be in an hour or a day or a week.’ He paused and entered the center of the huddle. Calmly, with a look of complete confidence, he said, ‘Just take it one evolution at a time.’
~ Admiral William H. McRaven from Sea Stories
Wonderful wisdom from Admiral William H. McRaven from his book Sea Stories which is full of stories like this. This is a true story of military officers overcoming extreme challenges by focusing on what comes up next. Because keeping the whole situation in mind is the quickest way to loose confidence and quit. Do what you can, keep moving forward.
Remember the hummingbird.
In The Way of the Seal, Commander Mark Divine tells us to “Keep front-site focus”. Simplify the battle field of life and keep concentration on what is most important at the moment. Do what you ca, keep moving forward.
Remember the hummingbird.
“Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows. It’s a very mean and nasty place, and I don’t care how tough you are, it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain’t about how hard you hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward; how much you can take and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done! Now if you know what you’re worth, then go out and get what you’re worth, but you gotta be willing to take the hits, and not pointing fingers saying you ain’t where you wanna be because of him, or her, or anybody. Cowards do that and that ain’t you. You’re better than that! I’m always gonna love you, no matter what. No matter what happens. You’re my son and you’re my blood. You’re the best thing in my life. But until you start believing in yourself, you ain’t gonna have a life.
~ Rocky’s speech to his son in Rocky Balboa the movie.
We all know that life is going to hit us hard at some point and when it actually happens we get bent all out of shape because of it. This is going to happen, it is inevitable. So how can you regain your equilibrium? How can you get back up after your knocked down? Do what you can, break the challenge into small chunks and keep moving forward.
Remember the Hummingbird
Zen therapist David Reynolds in his book Constructive Living, says ask the question, “Now what needs to be done?”. I ask this of myself throughout the day as much as I can. Not only does it help prevent from getting distracted but it also reminds me that I only have one thing I need or can focus on right now.
Byron Katie echo’s this wisdom in her book Loving What Is. She says: “We never receive more than we can handle, and there is always just one thing to do.”
When you don’t feel like creating because life has just punched you in the gut ask yourself.
What can I do right now?
How can I take one step in the right direction?
How can I break this monumental task in to small steps and what step can I achieve right now?
Anything is possible when you do what you can, diligently, patiently and consistently.
Remember the hummingbird.
After 16 sessions I finished my Pocahontas drawing by refining the hummingbird. I have about 25 other drawings I need to do for the Fandom Fitness book, it’s probably going to take me another year of daily work to finish the project. But I’m not thinking about that. I’m thinking and focusing on the next step and what I can do right now to move forward.
The normal 15 minute warm-up in graphite.
No work from the The Natural Way to Draw book today. We have big plans for Pattie’s birthday.
I love the hummingbird wisdom and it’s wonderful to revisit and commit to memory.
Move through my daily tasks with calm tranquility.
Keep focus on what is important and bring energy to it but don’t fly off the handle because you only have a short period of time in which to do it in.
