Tweet This and Cheer Up the World

A complaining Crow or Raven (just like me)?  On a wall in Miami, Florida

Lately, I've been feeling sorry for myself with being ill and in pain.  Yes, I can look around and see people totally disabled or having much worse illnesses than I, but still, my struggles are my own.  I won't even apologize for currently NOT being thankful for having lesser problems than other suffering folks.

This morning I woke up to the sound of birds chirping and singing their merry tunes.  I use the word "merry" because birds almost always sound happy (unless they are screeching or scolding).  The sounds of the birds immediately made me feel chipper (smile).  Why is it that birds have this power to cheer us up?  There is something especially hopeful about little creatures going about their everyday business chirping, tweeting, and singing.  It seems to me that God provided a way for birds to serve humankind in their simple but marvelous way.   

When I hear a person whistling, it elevates my mood in the same way as hearing the birds.  I know some people whistle because of nervous habit and it drives others nuts, but for me, when people imitate the birds by whistling, I immediately think they are enjoying life even if all they are doing is whistling while they work and thinking of other things.  Think how cheerful the song, "Whistle While You Work" makes you feel--play it here:  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kE1LsYATBRY

 Written by Frank Churchill; lyrics by Larry Morey (from "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs").

Speaking of human songs, most people are familiar with the song, "I Whistle a Happy Tune,"  from The King and I (music by Oscar Hammerstein; lyrics by Richard Rodgers).  It reinforces what I believe is intricate to the human experience--music employs our senses and affects our moods.  It has great power for good.  That is why God gave humans and birds the ability to spread happiness through songs and sounds.

 Recently, a post on Facebook caught my attention.  You may be able to find the song by searching online.  The link I had posted is no longer available.  It is a beautiful.  Go whistle a happy tune!

Having Enough

Everywhere online or out shopping in the stores I see things I want but don't need.  There's always something new to wrench cash from my purse.  When and how do we draw the line on accumulating?  This week has been an eye-opener about the inequality of the ownership of things and I have suddenly become very grateful for the things I already have and enjoy.  Most of us have so very, very much.  We, middle-class folks, are wealthy compared to many others in this world.  Three articles and a first-hand experience this week shook me into recognizing some other people don't have the comforts of life I take for granted.

First, I read an article in a magazine about a young man from Sudan.  He spent 12 years in a refugee camp before gaining the opportunity for an education in the U.S.  He lived in a jungle with nothing but the clothes on his back for much of his early life.  Worldly goods were of no concern to his people as no one owned anything.  All that was needed was enough food, water, warmth, and to keep from being killed.  Love would have been nice too, but the young man got separated from his family.  He had nothing and no one.

Second, an article in the newspaper tells of a disabled woman driving her motorized wheelchair four hours to get a few groceries at a local food bank.  Many people with disabilities go to the same food bank for food.  They often cannot carry all of their groceries and must leave some behind.  Some of the people have problems walking or getting on and off buses.  Their lives are spent trying to survive day-to-day challenges while I can just hop in my car and get whatever I want with no problem whatsoever.

Third, American Indians living on a reservation have never had running water or electricity.  The newspaper article tells how some homes are finally getting electricity after generations of tribes struggling to do ordinary everyday household chores and cooking.  Many of the homes on reservations have no convenient appliances that most people in America enjoy and never think about--like toasters, microwaves, and refrigerators. Think about what it would be like to camp out all of your life.  Keeping warm and eating would require much labor, not to mention washing clothing and cleaning the house.  Imagine reading and working by the light of kerosene lamps.

Last, but not least, I saw hundreds of people outside the homeless shelter in Salt Lake City this week.  The weather was beautiful that day, but it probably isn't so comfortable when it is cold and wet.  Most assuredly there are tales of need, pain, and sorrow behind the hardened or worry-laden faces.  Lest we judge why those people are in dire circumstances, not all their problems have been brought on by themselves.  Most of the homeless people own only what they can carry in their backpacks or put into a shopping cart.

These are only four examples that put my abundant life into perspective and my desire for more to shame.  I have so very much!  Perhaps my wanting should be for them and not myself.  Somehow I must put energy, action, and means into having less and helping others without to get more of what they need.

Sure, that purse is SO cute.  I just don't gotta have it.

A Little Bird Told Me

Luke 12:6   Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, 
and not one of them is forgotten before God?

Luke 12:7 But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
 Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.

• An extraordinary blessing came to me last week via a tiny bird.  I was struggling with concerns over a son who was in jail ready to be released at any time.  He is homeless, making it difficult to keep track of him when he is on the streets.  I have had to trust that God is watching over him, just as He has said he cares for the lilies in the field and the little sparrows.  Contemplating the scriptures and one of my favorite paintings by Greg Olsen (the one depicting the Savior with his hand extended to feed four little birds on a branch) provided solace, but I still needed assurance that things would work out.  My prayers were heard.  Before my son was released back to the streets, Heavenly Father sent peace to my heart through a little bird 

• There is a chimney on our house where birds like to roost or build nests.  They usually fall down the chimney into the wood burning stove below where we can hear them flapping around in panic.  We do not burn anything in this stove, so it was cleaned and lined with newspaper to cut down on the soot that the birds can spread if they fly around the room after the door is opened for their escape.  When we hear a bird trapped in the stove, we take the screen off a window, leaving it open so the bird can see a way out of the room.  By keeping all the other windows covered, the birds rarely fly around the room.  They quickly see the light and discover the direct flight path to safety and freedom.

• The first bird of the season arrived in our stove last week.  I prepared his escape and opened the door to the stove.  He was sitting on the inside of the door handle.  As I looked down at him, he looked up at me, chirping happily with an unconcerned look.  As we made eye contact, a sense of peace enveloped me.  The little bird connected with my heart! I can only explain this feeling as a special spirit-to-spirit experience. 

• This little finch seemed to have no fear, trusting that all was well.  Seeing that he wasn't going to fly, I started to put my hand under him when he suddenly flew up and landed on my head!  I began talking to him quietly and walking slowly toward the open window.  He chirped and sang as I moved across the room.  Arriving at the window, I stuck my head out to make it easier for him to launch, but the little finch sat securely in my hair, continuing his song!  Shortly after calming my soul and delivering a message of peace and care, he flew away with one last delighted-with-himself chirp.  

• The impact of the Savior's promises in the scriptures washed over me.  He truly does love us, care about our individual circumstances, and watch over us in our struggles.  We are not to worry.  He takes care of everything.  Have no fear.  He is always near.   

• Matthew 10:29  Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.  

Matthew 10:31   Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.

Matthew 6:28  And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: