Connecting With the Earth, Guided by Birds
Glow Journal by avian glow
Welcome to Glow Journal, a nature-centered spirituality blog by Avian Glow. Here, we explore the connection between birds, the natural world, self-care, and spiritual growth.
As you begin to make your way back to nature, you’ll start to recognize the communication. You feel your body warming up and instantly a cool breeze follows. Something pulls your gaze and when you stop to look, a Pine White butterfly flutters by. Looking at the clouds and a strong warrior shape appears. All of these experiences hold meaning in more ways than one. Does this remind you of a similar moment in your own life?
There’s a word for it: interconnectedness. Cambridge Dictionary describes it as “the state of having different parts or things connected or related to each other”. To me it means connecting to the Earth, Mother Nature, birds, whatever is around you. Once the connection happens, you start to feel waves of wonder. Let’s see what the waves tell us…
Mindfulness Practice Inspired by Birds: Kingfisher Calm
Kingfishers are known for their long beaks that look like a sharp sword. The way these birds hunt for food is by watching their prey and then catching it, showing that patience can bring you rewards.
Try this:
Let yourself relax. Listen to your breathing and let it come to a calm tempo.
Remember that you are not your stress, anxieties, or worries, leave all of those away from this gentle space. This is where you reset and become the best version of yourself.
Your mind wanders as you think about the kingfisher by the lake.
As it perches on a branch, it then dives into the water and emerges with a fish. Symbolically this represents taking advantage of the right moment. You then see yourself, standing on a hill working for the life you want when it becomes your reality.
No one sees the work you put into the life you want. You know that deep down, it’s always been yours. Let that fuel you to achieve great things. Now, let your body release the negative energy and bring in the positive energy. Like the kingfisher, you too can seize the right opportunity, at the right time.
The kingfisher is one of seven coastal birds waiting to guide you. Download the free 7-Day Coastal Bird Affirmations Journey and discover them all.
Nature Symbolism Spotlight
Spotted Towhee (Pipilo maculatus)
My pup Eevee and I made our way up Glassford Summit, a hike of about 4 miles. When nearing the top, I noticed birds calling to each other in a playful way. As I turned my head, the Spotted Towhee was close enough that I could see its striking red eyes. It was my first close encounter with this bird.
Naturally, curiosity set in. Why does the Spotted Towhee have red eyes?
The simple answer is that the red color comes from specific pigments within their irises. I couldn't find much information on how this trait developed, just that it is part of their biology.
But beyond biology, I found myself wondering about symbolism.
So, what do red eyes represent? In nature, red eyes often symbolize seeing beyond the surface and the intensity of presence. Seeing the bright, red eyes on black-colored feathers makes for an unforgettable visual experience.
How does this relate to me? You can think of red eyes as looking deeper to what’s within you. Everyone may be telling you to go one way, but when you give it thought, you realize you’re moving forward in your own direction.
The Spotted Towhee spends most of its time alone on the ground, doing its own work beneath the noise of the forest. There is something deeply grounding about that image. Nature often reflects back what we need to notice most.
✨ Want more bird reflections? Join our free 7-day journey here
Seasonal Nature Cue - Windswept
May is finishing its sentence on the wind. In the Southwest, the air has turned restless. The wind moves through the desert in long, sweeping exhales. It picks up dust and bends the grasses, reminding us that something is shifting.
The days are stretching longer now, the sun reluctant to leave. Sunsets that arrive later and linger longer, painting the sky in ways that feel almost deliberate. The birds feel it too. They move differently in the wind whether its adjusting or trusting their wings to find the current that works for them rather than fighting the one that doesn't. This is not a week of stillness. It is a week of movement.
Nature Cue:
Step outside this week and let the wind touch you without pulling away from it. Notice the direction it is moving. Notice what it carries. Wind in many traditions is considered a messenger. A force that clears what is stagnant and makes room for what is ready to arrive. What in your life is ready to move?
Reflection: What has been sitting still inside you that the wind might be asking you to finally release?
Personal Reflection
With Mother’s Day approaching I think about the relationship I have with my mom. Prior to this year, I went about 4 years without communication. This year I decided to rekindle our relationship. This reflection isn’t advice, simply a reminder to stop and consider the relationships that shape us.
A little background, my parents divorced when I was 7. My mom gained custody but it wasn’t the same. She struggled to take care of 3 kids on her own. I’ll always have respect for her for doing what our father didn’t. Growing up, we were estranged and there were times I felt like she was more of a friend versus a mom. Which made growing into an adult difficult and learning a lot on my own. I think that’s one of the reasons why I cling so much onto the child inside of me, never wanting to let go.
As of today, I love my mom and we have open communication with each other. There are the parts of her I see in myself that I love like being creative, loving writing, fashion and putting together looks. Then there are the parts of her I see in myself that I don’t love like feeling angry, having a temper, wanting to push away everyone. I’m sure you can think of a few ways too.
Think of this as one way to open communication with a loved one. I understand that some of the choices our parents make we don’t approve of. But for some, staying connected is still possible and even healing. For me, choosing to reconnect felt important, but everyone’s situation is different. Birds show us family dynamics too. They leave the nest when the time comes but do not forget the branch that held them. Sometimes reconnecting isn’t about going back, it’s about remembering where you grew.
What kind of relationship do you have with your mother? If the relationship is strained, is there anything you can do to fix it? Life has a way of teaching us to appreciate the people in it, separate from the decisions they’ve made.
What’s New in the Nest - Kit
We’ve made it easier to download the free workbook and Notion template. You can now access it through Kit—simply enter your name and email, and the download link will be sent straight to your inbox. This makes the process much simpler than navigating the website (and we’re continuing to simplify things even more).
If you’ve completed the 7‑day journey, I’d truly love to hear how it went for you. Feel free to email me, send a direct message, or reach out through the website to share your experience.
In the coming months, we’ll be launching the 30‑Day Coastal Bird Affirmation Journey—a fully immersive experience designed to deepen your connection with coastal birds and yourself. This journey will include guided meditations and oracle cards to support reflection and emotional grounding.
Taking this journey with you has meant a lot. It feels like we’re learning how to connect with nature in more than one way. Let the birds guide you as you continue along your path.