The document shares three lessons that can be learned from bird watching. [1] Birds respect personal space and we should respect the personal space of all living creatures. [2] Birds view their habitats not just as houses but as homes, and we should ensure our living spaces feel like true homes. [3] Birds can stand perfectly balanced even in challenging conditions, and we should aim to balance the six aspects of our lives.

1.
LESSONS FROM THE BIRDS
Life’s lessons can be learned from the
most unexpected sources. I like to share
three lessons out the many that I
discovered from bird watching.
Nowadays birdwatching is a form of
wildlife observation and recreational
activity. It can involve just watching
birds with our naked eye to using visual
enhancements like binoculars and telescopes. It can range from an armature pastime to a
professional career involving formal courses, tracking, documentation, photography and
publication of research papers. Ah! for me it just a relaxing pastime whenever time and
opportunity provides. But as a trained counseling psychologist, I have these automatic tendencies
to reflect upon my observations. And these are what I learned from the birds.
Personal Spaces
When I wanted to take the above picture, I crept slowly, in a stealthy manner as close as possible
to shoot with my Nikon 300mm zoom lens. I succeeded. You see, the bird was unperturbed by
my presences. Yet I felt like an intruder trespassing into its small and calm environment that is
fast disappearing. If the bird could speak the human language, it might say “you idiot! why are
spying on me. Am I your zoo cage exhibit?” But of course as the dominant human being I can
justified my intrusion with many human reasons. But the bottom line is, I am an intruder into its
personal space.
As humans, we need our ​personal spaces to be respected. A personal space ranges from 1.5 feet
to 4 feet and access are allowable to friends and acquaintances. Any unallowable intrusion 1
beyond this range would be intruding into our intimate space which has a perimeter of 18 inches
around our bodies allowable only to family members and intimate friends. Violations of personal
spaces usually results in an uncomfortable feeling and even fear. In unavoidable situations like in
a crowded and cramped subway coaches, we accept the intrusion of others as an unavoidable
violations only for that moments. So we should respect the personal spaces of every living
creature because it is their inherent rights.
1
http://www.livescience.com/20801­personal­space.html
©2015 by Thesigan Nadarajan

2.
LESSONS FROM THE BIRDS
Homes Not Houses
Birds have their habitats in many type of environments. It could be a heathland, woodland,
forest, rainforest, wetland and coastal lands. It doesn’t matter where, the birds know how to 2
make it their homes. It has been noted that each bird species built their own unique type of nests
through complex engineering skills that sometimes hint advance planning. Their homes are their 3
shelter from the natural elements, security from predators and nest for breeding. ​It is where they
raise their young until they can venture out on their own. It is their home regardless of the
duration of their stay.
What about us as humans? Are our lodging structures mere houses or are they our homes? What
turns our lodging structures into a home? Here I would like to list selected points for our
reflection:
1. It is where we can be who we really are,
2. It is where we can feel safe from all intrusions,
3. It is where we can connect with ourselves and those whom we love,
4. It is where we can change or modify anything to fit our needs,
5. It is where we can return to for solace, calmness and peace,
6. It is where we can exhibit out our personalities,
7. It is where we feel most at home.
Standing Balanced
No matter where a bird lands, whether on a branch, a
watering spray pipe, or a high swaying thin branch, it
stands well balanced. Where it stands can be wet and
slippery, icy or windy. Yet it will stand perfectly
balanced.
2
http://www.birdsinbackyards.net/birds/Natural­Habitats­Birds
3
http://www.harunyahya.com/en/Articles/8168/how­do­birds­build­their
©2015 by Thesigan Nadarajan

3.
LESSONS FROM THE BIRDS
Can we stand balanced like the birds? Are the six aspects of our lives namely physical, mental,
emotional, social, financial and spiritual included and well balanced in our daily lives. Whatever 4
life’s weather brings upon us, are we balanced in our thinking, decisions and actions. Do we
stand sure­footed unmoved by any form extremities. Do we always seek balance living.
Reflective Solitude
Birds at times flock and swarm together
while at other times stand alone in solitude.
Like them, it is okay for us to take time for
reflective solitude. So what can we do in our
reflective solitude? Reflective thinking of
course.
In our extremely connected and mobile
world, we sometimes have too many voices
clamoring for our attention simultaneously. This is when we respond automatically based on
conditioning and habits. There is little opportunity for reflective thinking.
What is reflective thinking? It is when we can take time to actively and consciously to evaluate
our thoughts and actions on anything to understand its rationale, counter arguments, processes,
possible outcomes and how it can be made better. It must be noted that reflective thinking
normally is not encouraged in compliant and dictatorial societies where obedience is the criteria.
And yet the greatest reflective philosophers and thinkers are still found in compliant societies.
Why? Simple! No one can censor or suppress the human thought.
Closing Thoughts
When we respect other people’s spaces, live in a balanced manner and practice reflection of our
thoughts and deeds, we will soar high in our thinking and be able to have a bird’s eye view of
ourselves and others. And like the birds, we will find the need to still return to the ground of
humanity for it is our home.
4
http://www.theemotionmachine.com/six­aspects­of­a­well­balanced­person­part­1
©2015 by Thesigan Nadarajan