Search This Blog

Wednesday, February 19, 2025

ARE YOU WATCHING THE BIRD FEEDER?

 


Wasting Away Watching the Bird Feeder?

Instead, Keep Moving, Doing, and Learning

By Del Albright, Sustainable Motorized Recreation Advocate

(Based on an inspiration from Ted Cabral, RestoreTrails.Org)

Gathered around the campfire, the wise old man shared wisdom with a crowd of young folks. He complimented them for being on the trail, out in the backcountry, getting their tires dirty, and sharing a campfire together. He enlightened them with the tale of another old man. 

He went on to say, “My old friend was sitting on the porch, seemingly lost in thought. So, I asked him what gives. He said he was watching his bird feeder and the variety of colorful birds enjoying a free meal. He said that his time in life had come where the best he could do was sit on the porch and watch the bird feeder.”

I was shocked. He was not much older than me, but his body (maybe because of the way he treated it in life) was done. There were no more trails in his future. There were no more outings, hikes, rides, or even walks to the mailbox. It really struck home for me that I need to do everything I can while I still can before I end up watching the bird feeder.

The point here is not to depress you but to reinforce the importance of not letting life pass you by because it’s running full throttle, trying to gain on you. Sure, there are many moments when a hot cup of coffee on the porch feels mighty fine. But that moment is not the end all be all. It’s just a nice part of your day.

There are action items we can take in life to prevent watching the bird feeder before it’s time. Allow me to offer some suggestions. It boils down to MDL – Keep Moving, Doing, and Learning.

Moving: As long as your body and health allow, just keep moving. Stretch, walk, get up off your computer seat and relax your body, lift light weights while watching the tube, and do anything other than be sedentary.

Doing: Always have projects or tasks to work on. Doing something is better than doing nothing. It is like leadership or supervision; the worst thing you can do is do nothing. Learn to be content with a project list that seems never-ending; at least it keeps you doing something.

Learning: Constantly keep your mind engaged with something new. Learn a musical instrument. Read a technical book. Learn a new hobby or language. Get on the internet and learn how to do that “thing” you’ve been wanting to do to your rig. Our brains grow through learning and staying engaged. Our brains slowly shut down if left in neutral for too long.

Indeed, there is more to this than this simple outline. But if you take control and choose how to live your life, and don’t allow the couch potato syndrome to set in before its time, you will get more out of life and not end up watching the bird feeder all day.  Just keep moving, doing, and learning.

##

 

LINKS:

BOOK BY DEL ON TIME MANAGEMENT, VOLUNTEERISM, AND MORE

DEL'S BOOKS (LAND USE, WILDFIRE, DEATH VALLEY, COWBOY POETRY, AND MORE)

WEBSITE (HOME PAGE)

PINTEREST (BOOKS, ARTICLES, AND MORE)

FACEBOOK

INSTAGRAM

DEL'S ARTICLES (LAND USE, LIFE, WILDFIRE, VOLUNTEERISM, AND MORE)

No comments:

Post a Comment