For two years in a row I have found a baby bird abandoned outside. I have taken both in, cared for them, and cried when they passed. These little featherless and tiny creatures have touched in my heart in ways I can’t explain. I have cared for them as if I was their own mother, and prayed that they wouldn’t suffer. Caring for these birds has taught me many lessons and I write about them below, I hope you enjoy reading them and that you take them to heart.
Be kind.
I have realized that one of the most important traits a person can have is kindness. Having a kind heart leads to happiness for yourself and for others; hate is easy to feel, but it only weighs you down. Being kind doesn’t mean being a hero or always being upbeat when you don’t feel that way. It can simply mean smiling at others, helping others in need, or being a friend. It is very easy as it is rewarding and I encourage you all try and be more kind.
Be thankful.
It was hard for me to find these two birds because I felt very helpless. I knew I didn’t have the knowledge or the adequate resources to keep them alive for more than a few days or actually raise them. I cried when they chirped for their mother and wished I could help them more. I remember being comforted by a few family members that is was fortunate I found him before he got eaten by a cat or suffered alone. I realized how thankful I was that I got to love these birds and comfort them. So many animals go unloved in life, and I am thankful these didn’t. I am thankful I found them and I am thankful they died loved and without pain.
Life is precious.
Even though the lives of birds and the lives of humans are completely different, caring for these birds has taught me how precious life is. I am lucky enough to live a life of comfort: I don’t need to worry about starving or freezing to death as this bird could have, I am able to attend college and I have many luxuries. What I did realize is that I must live my life and actually make something of it. If I go through life blinded by these luxuries, then I haven’t truly lived. This bird had nothing and yet it impacted me, we can all do the same in our own lives, we can all impact others in positive ways, even if we are poor and powerless.
You are never worthless.
I felt helpless when it came to these birds; I felt as if I couldn’t do anything for them at all. I was wrong. I kept them alive longer than they would have lived on their own, I loved them for the few days I knew them, and I helped to end their suffering. I wasn’t helpless or worthless to these birds, and I have to come to realize that. This revelation can be compared to many other things in life: feeling useless at a new job, feeling as if you are not smart enough for a class, and so on. With this new realization that we can all help and that no one, absolutely no one is worthless, I hope we can all strive to go out and be great.
I hope that you have enjoyed reading what I have learned while caring for two baby birds. I want everyone to realize their worth and how important it is to be kind and thankful. We all have one life on this Earth, we can spend it in luxury without ever impacting the world, or we can be a force of greatness. It is up to you to choose, I hope we all choose the latter.
