Birds Learn To Sing In The Dark…

I’ve just recently learned from hearing a sermon and then reading an article about how birds learn to sing, that some species actually seek the dark to help them learn how to do so. Many of us know that a bird’s song is a beautiful tune and mark of distinction among each species. To learn to sing is to learn to communicate in their language and be noticed in their communities.

But why the dark? Why an isolated corner or covered cage where it appears no one can see or hear them? I wonder if they feel like they need to be in solace or solitude in order to focus on the task at hand so they will not be distracted or deterred by naysayers or larger birds of influence who may discourage their attempts to accomplish the great feat and task at hand.

Furthermore, I even read in the article that the bird’s ability to sing is innate and in some instances, if a particular species is raised outside of their own, then they’ll acquire the song of the species that raised them. How similar in our situation, but even more amazing is the bird’s ability to sing, coupled with the desire to accomplish singing, without being taught or influenced!

Herein lays another one of those gentle stories and lessons from nature that demonstrate just how harmonious the Universe is. We can paint this same picture about our innate abilities to overcome obstacles, to succeed, to be or do anything that we desire because that capacity of greatness already resides in us. We just have to recognize it and tap into it. The dark in this case can be symbolic for the challenges of life; the obstacles we’re presented with as we learn and grow on a daily basis. In these times, many people seek refuge in their souls and spirits to help get them through. Quiet time and meditation are sought for balance and centering. Space is carved out in the home just for alone time. All of these activities to overcome a challenge can be recognized as the periods of solace that we seek (or the dark); away from others, to come back into our own…to reconstruct our inner spirit—to garner the wisdom and the wherewithal to sustain the most positive and life-affirming posture on the journey.

Seeking the dark in this case is like returning to a sanctuary where you can recharge your battery, which can actually be refreshing. I love that I stumbled across this story because it presents a different perspective of what “the dark” looks like. Now, we’ve captured an image in our imaginations that brings about more beautiful and joyous feelings around “challenges” and “struggle” of which we all are familiar with.

Many of us have reached a widened emotional gap, where much of what we’re emitting is very low vibrations at some point in our lives. Some people may describe this widened gap as depression, even feeling suicidal… a period in “the dark.” In this case, picture the bird returning to his inner strength, his inner voice to teach him how to become a bird. See in your mind, that bird and learn from his perspective of the dark; a place to learn, to grow, to polish one’s self, to trust and rely on yourself and to build yourself back up.

November 7th, 2007