There is no denying it. I can definitely feel the days starting to stretch and lengthen. With the building of this increase in light, there has been the slightest whisper of warmth that has started to gently seep in when that north wind is not looking.
These are the days described by the great Mary Oliver as “the brisk and shallow restlessness of early spring”. It’s not quite strip off the jumper weather, however, the heaviness of winter is starting to break down a small bit. If we pay enough attention, we can start to see the burgeoning of new life.
For me, these first sightings are not only the snowdrops and the crocuses, but I can also detect spring in the increased activity of my garden birds. For instance, there is this very bossy male blackbird who patrols the wall at the back of the garden with fierce determination. He is busy and focused on fending off any intruder who might chance their arm at settling into his neighbourhood. What’s more is that there is now a hen who has been appearing alongside of him and joining him at the pile of oatmeal that I put out each morning. This daily show is coupled with the increase and volume of the dawn chorus as it now starts to build until its’ peak in late April/ early May.
The birds have long been a support for connection to the natural world for me. Although, I do think it was the dawn chorus event that the Sanctuary used to host that truly ignited my reverence for these graceful and melodic creatures. With over two hundred regularly recorded bird species on this tiny island, they remind me that the world is actually larger, lighter and more alive than I could ever imagine.
Lately I have been having to work a little bit harder to connect in with nature. With my teaching practice, university classes and therapy placement, my daily walks have diminished to a few times a week. This got me thinking about ways that I might challenge myself to cultivate a daily nature practice. Of course, the moment I write this I get nervous. What if I fail to do so? Is this too much pressure on an already busy schedule? Why do I always need a challenge?
And then if I listen more carefully… I hear another question form.
What can I lose? Even if I do not manage every day, I will have increased my time in nature.
So, I would like to invite you in the days leading up to May 3 (International Dawn Chorus day) in a challenge of increasing your daily time spent in nature by 5-10-15-20 minutes (pick what’s right for you). Like me, you might like to rise early and go out into the garden, visit a park or even just open your window to hear the morning birdsong. Or perhaps you would like to touch in with the dusk chorus in the evening. Or it could be something else altogether, like watching the sunrise/sunset or increasing the length of your daily walk or bringing your meditation practice outdoors. Choose your challenge and maybe even mix it up!
If there is enough interest, I will then broadcast a live dawn chorus meditation on my social media pages On Sunday May 3rd.
To show your interest, let me know by taking this poll and/ or email thelanguageofblue@gmail.com to accept the challenge.
All else aside, if you would like to join me for the Sanctuary’s online community meditation on Tuesday morning at 10am (Irish Time), click here.
-Jane
*Thank you to Joan Flannelly for allowing me to use this photo of her from the last time I woke for the dawn chorus on International Dawn Chorus day.
My Silent Place 
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