Attitude

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. ~1 Thessalonians 5:18

Face it, when we think animals are experiencing emotions, we are projecting our experience on them. We observe their behavior and consider what we would be feeling. But we know all too well that in humans outward expressions don’t always match the inward experience. Sometimes we smile through the pain or hold our emotions in. When we see a bird gliding effortlessly through the air, or making lazy circles in the sky, or perhaps in a steep dive, we imagine the thrill that would be for us, but for the bird it is simply the practice of surviving. Tree Swallows, particularly young ones, will regularly carry a feather in order to drop mid-air and then swoop to catch it again (if another bird in the flock doesn’t catch it first). To us, this looks like play, but for these birds who need to maneuver quickly in flight to catch their insect meals, it is practice.

Sometimes, emotions seem to be an obstacle, blurring our judgment. Yet other times, it is the emotion that pushes us to examination, often the contemplation of self-examination. We may not be able to control our feelings, effectively they happen to us, but we can choose what we do with them when they happen. When we choose to suppress some emotions while more freely feeling others, we develop attitudes. These can be either negative or positive. One of the best ways of employing our emotions to set a positive direction is to choose an attitude of gratitude. When we are on the lookout for reasons to be thankful, we will find them. And when we are grateful we are are less stressed, more likely to find the next good thing.

To be fair, animals apparently find ways to survive without struggling with frustration, anger, depression, or anxiety. Or if they do, they don’t seem to show it. Even in the most severe conditions, birds still sing, creating and exuding beauty. They don’t stop to consider whether they want to molt into spectacular colors, they just do. Maybe we should take a lesson from them and release those things that keep us from finding the peaceful way of thanksgiving.

Prayer: Thank you! Amen.