Welcome dear friend, as we look around the world at the moment we observe much upheavel & the stirring of things. In the light of these stirrings I thought we’d take a walk through nature.

As hubby & I were walking along the waterfront one day we saw some fascinating wildlife behavior.

But before we begin grab yourself a cuppa & get comfy.

Since childhood I have loved watching wildlife in their natural environment, it was an interest nurtured by my Dad.

The enjoyment comes from really appreciating their beauty & antics. For animals have so many interesting & fascinating behaviours, as do people!

Uniquely Australian

Here in Australia we have some very unique birds that are both beautiful & fun to watch.

We have Galahs, from the Cockatoo family, who are the comedians of the bird world. They get up to all manner of hilarious mischief & antics.

When I lived on the farm with my late husband, we would put the sprinkler on to water the lawn on a hot Summer’s afternoon. And the Galahs would come in huge numbers to have a drink, cool themselves off & play.

Spreading their wings out wide under the sprays of water, washing the dust off, then it was time to play doing somersaults & upside down antics. Just like children do under the sprinkler on a hot day!

We also have our Australian Magpies (we call them Maggies here) who are from one of the most intelligent bird genus, the Crow & Raven family.

Their call sounds like a beautiful harmonious caroling which to me signals the quintessential sound of the Australian Bush.

At this time of the year, Spring, they have their chicks in the nest of whom they’re fiercely protective.

Dive bombing & attacking anything that comes within fifty metres of their nest.

Cyclists are especially targeted. We see strange alien spiky helmets (laden with plastic pull ties) on cyclists who are attempting to keep the Magpies from attacking their head.

Fascinating Behaviour

It was actually a Maggie’s behavior that we witnessed the other day on our walk. This particular Magpie was warding off a magnificent adult White-bellied Sea eagle!

The Maggie though bigger then some native birds is still much smaller, less then half the size, of the White-bellied Sea Eagle!

But this smaller bird was dive bombing the Sea Eagle relentlessly. Warning the bird of prey that this littler Maggie meant serious business if the Eagle was going to come near his family!

Hubby & I stood gobsmacked as we watched this bird who could’ve at any moment become a tasty snack for the Sea Eagle constantly warn the Eagle of his intentions.

The Eagle eventually flew out of range of the annoying warnings from the Magpie.

Extreme Courage or mere Foolishness?

This had me questioning the wisdom of these birds. Was it courage to take on their predators & to attack humans many more times their size or sheer foolishness?

After all both have the ability in one fell blow to leave the attacking bird fatally wounded.

Their rather defensive & offensive behavior to anything that comes within range of their nest seems rather excessive at first.

Until we look beyond & do a little background research, we discover that these birds live in a rather complex social system. With many levels to their Magpie society.

‘Family groups’ (although they may not necessarily be of the same parentage) defend their own territory fiercely & vigorously against other ‘family groups’ of Magpies, at times to the death!

Thus these birds are always on hyper alert, which creates its own set of behavioral issues. What we call in the counseling world, hyper vigilance.

Hyper vigilance causes stressors which cause anxiety.

It’s a vicious cycle of anxiety inducing behaviour.

How do these relate to us?

Let’s ask ourselves the following question; how many times do we witness someone behaving in a manner that we see as excessive?

This may be in what we see as over the top enthusiasm, eccentric behavior, being inconsiderate or even offensive.

For even assertiveness can be perceived as being officious or aggressive, depending on the background of the one on the receiving end.

Looking beyond

To be fair, there may be certain circumstances surrounding the behavior we are witnessing. That we have no knowledge of, just like the example of the Magpies who live in a very complex social system who are always in a state of hyper vigilance.

What I’m highlighting here is that in every person’s background there are a set of complex life experiences that have had or may be having an impact upon them.

And where they’re at in dealing or not dealing with those complexities will influence their present behavior.

Please Note; I am not referring to any type of criminal or abusive behavior towards others here, that is never okay.

People are complex beings

Let us look at a few complexities;

The introverts amongst us will become quickly overwhelmed in having to interact with a large group of people.

This is also the case with those living with anxiety or mental health issues.

Retreating into a quiet corner of the room or to the kitchen of a social setting to ‘help’ the host will often be a course of action taken.

Where it’s much more comfortable with the one on one social interaction then within the larger group.

Then there are those of us who are living with chronic health conditions.

We run out of energy very quickly, (explained here) & will need to leave a social situation much earlier then others.

Social situations take an enormous amount of physical & emotional energy to navigate for all.

Another example can be seen in those living with social phobias or special needs.

They will become extremely stressed leading up to & within social situations. They may behave in ways that appear excessive because of their extreme discomfort. They may say things out of context or conversely be extremely quiet.

We all need love & acceptance

I’m reminded that Jesus loved all, especially those who didn’t fit the ‘societal norms’ of the day.

Let’s look at a few…

John the Baptist, Jesus’ first cousin was one eccentric guy who lived in the wilderness most of his adult life wearing animal skins, eating bugs & wasn’t afraid to confront the injustices of the day. But he paved the way for Jesus ministry.

Peter the apostle (aka Simon Peter) was a rugged fisherman. He was impetuous, defensive & at times even offensive in his behavior. Often saying things completely out of context. But Jesus chose Peter to build the early church.

Mary Magdalene was a woman who had a past with many issues in her life that set her apart but she was one of the loyal followers of Jesus. Whom He appeared to first after His resurrection.

Love & acceptance changes lives

Love & acceptance changed these people’s lives, particularly the love & acceptance of Jesus.

Remembering while here on earth, Jesus highlighted the second commandment,

“Love your neighbor as yourself,”

Mark 12:31

He called it one of the most important commandments, only behind loving God with our whole being. That’s how important it is!

Who are our neighbors you may ask?

Every man, woman & child upon this planet!

Remembering Jesus died, rose & ascended to the right hand of God for all mankind.

‘For there is no difference between Jew and Greek: The same Lord is Lord of all, and gives richly to all who call on Him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved…’ 

Romans 10: 12-13

May we be mindful that every one of us are dealing with life’s complex issues in one form or another.

And may we love & accept others with the love of Jesus. Who truly changes lives!

Maranatha!

Jennifer

You’re most welcome to join me in The Reading Nook

Or in Prayer

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