The Hummingbird Bully

Last year we placed a hummingbird feeder in our yard.  It was interesting to watch the different species of hummingbirds enjoy the nectar.  This year was quite different. We had an overly aggressive hummingbird bully. Anytime an invader flew by the feeder the bully would fiercely defend the feeder.  Mr. Bully would perch on a nearby branch and anytime an intruder showed up he would chase it away. If that did not work, he would dive at the other bird. His competitor did not have a chance. Hummingbirds are sometimes very territorial. In order to protect the food source, they do whatever they can to defend it for their own kind or even just for themselves.  Mr. Bully was very dominant denying other hummers a chance, especially, if the competitor was a female or a male of a different species.

The aggressive behavior of Mr. Bully seemed so unnecessary.  There were many times I told Mr. Bully we had plenty of nectar for all, but always to no avail.  He didn’t need to worry about his next meal, we would take care of him and all the other hummers. Then, it hit me that must be what God thinks when he looks down on all us.  Why do we live within a scarcity mentality?   Unlike Mr. Hummingbird Bully, we know we should share and live by the Golden Rule.  We often live in fear of others taking what we have. Building a wall between countries is really no different than Mr. Bully not allowing other hummers to drink from the tube feeder.  Both actions are built on the fear there will not be enough tomorrow.  Scarcity and lack drive our thinking, but God’s world of abundance, generosity and love is all around of us. It is there for all of us to choose instead of the serpent’s world of scarcity, suspicion and hostility. It’s a choice we make every day.

Further Discussion

Scarcity and lack mentality drive our fears that there will never be enough. “In The Soul of Money,” Lynne Twist challenges us to look closely at these assumptions. There is no simple fix. But it we take time to examine our drivers, we can make a better world.  Lynne Twist has found ways to replace a sense of scarcity with a more-positive understanding of sufficiency and the freedom that awareness provides.

Staying in Touch: Barbara Hirsh can be reached at info@LiveKinder.com  I love hearing your kindness stories.  

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