The Hummingbird Effect

“Slow down, you move to fast. You’ve got to make the morning last.” Simon & Garfunkel - Feelin’ Groovy

My husband and I both had corporate jobs at the time we got married.  I traveled in my work, we built a new home built and we were living in a new city. Life was very busy.  We didn’t realize how much we were missing in daily life until we slowed down enough to begin taking it all in.  We learned  “The Hummingbird Effect” from my husband’s grandparents, Ben and Dorothy, Gram and Gramps, visit to our new home in the springtime.

During Gram and Gramps visit, we found ourselves outside on our back patio quite a bit.  We apologized that we did not have a water scene for them to look out on - as they have a breathtaking view of the Long Island Sound from their home.   Gram and Gramps said they did not require water to enjoy nature and they began to point out all the abundance of life in our yard.  Gramps pointed out the time of day the birds would roost - we didn’t even know what that meant!  It means - getting ready to rest - slowing down.  As they both observed and identified the abundance of nature in our yard, and we observed them, we eventually began to move to a slower rhythm.  We slowed our pace and realized how filled up we felt by being quiet.

I’ve named this slowing down “The Hummingbird Effect”  because you have to be very still to observe hummingbirds.  During Gram and Gramps visit, we were intently watching the  hummingbird feeders and all the buzz surrounding them.   Suddenly a hummingbird flew towards Gramps, hovered in front of his face, and looked him in the eye.   Gramps froze.   It was a magical moment and memory for us all.  Did the hummingbird connect with Gramps because he was connecting with the birds?

From this wonderful visit with Gram and Gramps forward, we began to take more interest and care of our yard.   We grew to love this “extra room” of our home as it has continued to help us slow down and just be.    We find we are more centered and aware of our surroundings and ourselves as we consciously take time to be quiet and become an observer. 

You can implement The Hummingbird Effect wherever you are as it’s about being an observer in your own life.   Stop talking, sending, doing, and take time to listen and observe.   It is in listening that you open the door to your truth, authentic self and the messages from your Soul.