The Miraculous Macaw

Looking up through the trees as some stimulus unnoticed by her not-tuned-in-to-the-surroundings ears made all the difference, she watched as several macaws took flight and flapped their brilliantly colored wings elegantly as they journeyed to their next destination. Another branch on another tree perhaps. Another vantage point from which to view the world. Oh to be a bird.

To see things fresh and new so frequently, to not be stuck in one place, tethered to the ground would be a freedom about which she has only ever dreamt. But from here, on the ground, Elizabeth is thankful just to bear witness to the glorious sight that is these magnificent birds’ flight. She is grateful to have the ability to see the colors, watch the magic, listen to the subtle noise of the feathers as they move through the air, and to breathe in deeply as she takes it all in.

It’s a miracle to even exist on this earth and to continue on after hardship after difficulty after struggle is something never to take for granted. We all are here on this planet, in its air, in its water, on its land. If only we realized that we are all the same in so many ways, that we are all here for the same reason, and then treated ourselves and each other accordingly, this world would have a lot more love and be treated the way it treats us: with never-failing loving giving kindness.

Elizabeth marvels at the ways in which the trees, the birds, the air, the breeze, the land, the water, the wind, the earth, and all the other plants and animals interact and coexist so harmoniously. It nearly takes her breath away, how beautiful the natural world is just on an average day. Why do humans, with all their envious tendencies, have to take away so much and give back so little? Seeing another creature fly, and wishing they could do the same, why instead of absorbing the wonder of the moment, do they have to take the gift away from those who are lucky enough to be born with it?

If only humans could be more present in the moments of their lives: if they could be better observers and not so obsessed with controlling everything they see around them, maybe humans could live harmoniously with all the other creatures on this earth. Elizabeth wishes she could walk amongst the creatures of the forest without drawing suspicion, and rightfully so, just for her being there, but she knows that sadly, that is not the case. If humans in general were more like Elizabeth, she would be able to freely coexist amongst these incredible rainbow beings without having fear, doubt, and mistrust build a wall that keeps them forever separate, in a world wherein they could be so much closer, if only people weren't so selfish all the time. If only people appreciated what they already had and were grateful for what they had been given.

Elizabeth is brought back to reality when her musings are interrupted by the realization that one of these marvelous creatures is looking at her with the wonder in its eyes and the curious tilt of the head that she possesses when looking back at it. She is humbled by this moment. She is reminded that there is something special and pause-worthy about humans too, if you look closely enough, and she is grateful for the scarlet macaw for reminding her of her worth. If a bird that hardly knew her could see something special in her, maybe she could finally recognize it too.