Someone once told me a little something about holding a bird. They told me that if you hold a bird too tight, it will try everything it can to escape. If you hold too loose, with your hands flat, the bird flies away, feeling unsupported. If you hold it just right, with your hands cupped to give a cozy spot for the bird to snuggle into, but the freedom to fly away if it so chooses, the bird will snuggle into your hands and feel loved. Well, community, when working well, feels like that cupped hand; and I completely understand how that bird feels when it is held just right.
Halfway through my internship, life happened. My grandma was in the hospital and was about to pass away within a few days or perhaps a few hours. When I heard the news, and my parents asked if I could perhaps catch a flight home as soon as possible, I went to ask the community if they could possibly accommodate such a last minute departure. And they didnât just accommodate, they jumped to action to help me.
When I cried while explaining the situation, Opalyn gave me a great hug that really comforted me. Walt helped figure out the logistics of how to get me to the airport for the next flight to Phoenix and made room in his schedule to drive me there within a few hours of hearing the news. Even when I left, and I kept in contact via email, everyone sent messages that were just the right amount of support: they sympathized and gave me updates and wished me well without being overwhelming.
When I returned, everyone gave me the space I needed to sort through my emotions, but also let me know when they were available to listen for whenever I was ready to talk. And when I did talk, each person whom I have spoken with has helped me in some way with whatever struggles I have had. Whether I was able to garner a new insight, come to terms with something, or simply be able to release held up emotions, the conversations I have had with each member of Windward have been so influential, and vital, to my growth. I am so thankful for everyoneâs love and support.
So, when I think of that cupped hand, I think of Windward and the people here. I think of how I felt with everyoneâs support, and how itâs helped me get to where I am today. I have learned so much not only about sustainability, but also about community, how important and helpful it is, and how to be a more supportive person in my own personal relationships. I will never forget the warm and fuzzy feeling that comes of being held by the cupped hands of community, and I aspire to be able to give the same feeling of support for people in my life that Windward has been able to give to me. âââââ
Like most things, there are proper and improper ways to handle a pet bird. Unlike dogs or cats, birds are not domesticated, so picking one up into your arms is not as easy. Birds are rather delicate creatures, both physically and emotionally. But it can be easier than you might think to hold your feathered friend safely if you practice the right techniques. To ensure that you and your bird get the most out of your handling time, read the advice provided below.
I sobbed as I described the circumstances, and Opalyn gave me a wonderful hug that made me feel much better. Walt made time in his schedule to drive me there as soon as I heard the news, and he assisted in organizing the logistics of getting me to the airport for the next flight to Phoenix. Even after I left, I stayed in touch with everyone via email, and they were all very supportive—sending updates, expressing sympathy, and sending me well wishes without being overbearing.
Thus, Windward and the people present come to mind when I consider that cupped hand. I consider how I felt having everyone’s support and how it has enabled me to reach my current position. Along with learning a lot about sustainability, I’ve also learned a lot about community, how beneficial it is, and how to be a more encouraging person in my own relationships. I hope to be able to provide others in my life with the same sense of support that Windward has been able to provide for me, and I will never forget the fuzzy feeling that comes from being held by the cupped hands of community. âââââ.
I once heard a little story about someone holding a bird. They informed me that a bird will make every effort to get away if you hold it too tightly. The bird will fly away if your hands are too loose and flat because it will feel abandoned. The bird will nestle into your hands and feel loved if you hold it just so, with your hands cupped to provide a warm place for it to nestle into but the flexibility to fly away if it so chooses. Community, then, feels like that cupped hand when it functions well, and I know exactly how that bird feels when it is held just so.
Halfway through my internship, life happened. My grandmother was in the hospital and would probably die in a few days or even hours. After learning of the situation and my parents’ request that I take a quick flight home, I went to inquire with the community about their ability to handle my abrupt departure. And instead of just making accommodations, they took immediate action to assist me.
Upon my return, all of them provided me with the emotional space I required and informed me of their availability for listening whenever I felt ready to talk. And every person I spoke with during that time helped me in some way through whatever difficulties I was going through. The conversations I have had with each member of Windward have been so influential and vital to my growth, whether it was because I was able to gain new insight, come to terms with something, or just let go of pent-up emotions. I am so thankful for everyoneâs love and support.
FAQ
How do you get a bird to let you touch it?
How do you get birds to let you hold them?