Healing Emotions
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 nature-based mindfulness.
You know it’s funny, when I was a child and it would rain, I used to think the world was sad. Same thoughts would cross my mind when there was thunder and lightning, I thought the world was upset and angry. Then, when the sun was shining with that classic breeze we all know, I thought the world was just right. Being an adult we can see how the natural elements can affect how we feel. The weather is always changing, as is our emotions.
Birds can feel the shifting changes too. After a heavy rain and strong winds, you’ll notice hawks taking advantage of the thermals. Thermals are kind of like a tunnel of wind that gains heat the higher you go. Hawks enjoy them because they don’t have to use much energy to fly, the thermals take care of that for them. Or right before a storm, you may notice small flocks of birds flying the other direction. Birds tend to recognize when a storm is on the horizon.
Let’s see how we can heal emotions. Using nature and birds we can heal together. Now, onto this week’s stories…
Mindfulness Practice Inspired by Birds 🐤:
Heart of a Hummingbird
Anna’s hummingbirds may be tiny, but they’re strong and determined. The way the iridescent colors of pink and green shine when the sunlight hits them is mind bending. They don’t leave when things change, instead, they stay and adapt. It’s a silent kind of strength.
Try this:
Step outside for a few minutes. No phone, just you.
Take a slow breath. Notice the air and let your shoulders relax.
Now imagine a hummingbird hovering nearby. Picture it being still, steady, relaxed. Let yourself move at that same pace and let yourself keep that easygoing pace.
As you breathe, feel that steadiness in your body. Even when life feels busy, you can always pause to reflect and ground yourself.
Bring that feeling with you as you continue your day. Soft, present, and patiently strong.
Download the free 7-Day Coastal Bird Affirmations Journey to learn about 7 different North American coastal birds.
Nature Symbolism Spotlight🌲
Double-crested Comerant (Nannopterum auritum)
While hiking around Goldwater Lake in Prescott, I was in love with all the water birds that resided there. There were ducks, ravens, and cormorants. I even got to see the cormorants sunbathing. Apparently, there’s a scientific name for this behavior when birds spread their wings out and get some sun. It’s known as “horaltic pose”. The reason why Double-crested Cormorants do this is because their feathers are NOT water-proof and they need to dry off.
What do the comerants symbolize? What about the horaltic pose? How does this relate to my life?
Comerants generally symbolize introspection since they dive headfirst into water. They see the world underneath the water, above the water, and from high above. With the horaltic pose, it represents renewal by the sun baking off bacteria as the bird opens its wings. This relates to life because the comerant teaches us to look within ourselves no matter where we are and be open to experiencing renewal.
✨ Want more bird reflections? Join our free 7-day journey here
Seasonal Nature Cue 🌅 - May and the Young Birds
Late May is when something special is happening secretly all around us. The young birds are starting to leave the nest for the first time. You might notice them nearby when you’re outside, a little wobbly, figuring things out while their parents stay close.
They don’t wait until they feel fully ready, they just take that first leap.
There’s something really human about that.
Reflection:
Where in your life are you ready to take a small, brave “first flight,” even if it’s a little hazy? Just like the young birds, take your first leap.
Personal Reflection ✍🏼
After a hike by the lake, Eevee and I stopped to get some coffee. So, the thing with Eevee is she’s very lively and has her own personality. In a public setting, if someone comes up to her with their hand out attempting to pet her, she doesn’t like that. I think its her protective instinct
Long story short, I was in a situation where as I was driving us home, I felt this hot emotional anger inside me. It made me feel like I was vibrating with this deep emotion I didn’t know how to let go of. I was thinking to myself, is this what people deal with every day? How do they get rid of this feeling of utter wrath?
I practiced slow breathing and it didn’t do much. I kept telling myself it was ok and that didn’t help either. Then, feeling as if tears were going to stream from my fiery eyes, I knew the situation wasn’t worth my tears. I thought it over with the universe, found out the underlying reason why it happened, and talked it over with my partner. Afterwards, I felt incredibly healed and back to my regular self.
To be completely honest, I haven’t felt that type of anger in a long time. As I was going through the tests of what works and what doesn’t I realized how important that was. I don’t know what would have happened if I kept that emotion inside and let it build as I did nothing to relieve myself of it.
Next time you have a scenario where you feel angry, what do you do to relieve yourself of it? Try not to let it sit within you, but release it so it no longer affects you in a negative way.
What’s New in the Nest 🪺 - Website
I know I let you all know through the email newsletter, but as a PSA I will be updating the website. For now, I’m taking a website building class to learn HTML/CSS (basic building blocks of a website). This decision didn’t come easy but when I kept getting limited in what I could do with the website, I wanted more creative control. Then I realized I wanted complete creative control and the only way to do that would be to build the website from scratch.
As a lifelong learner, learning new things excites me and keeps life worth living. To be able to eventually say I created a website myself will be a great accomplishment, not just for me but for the business as well.
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.
Till Next Time,
Trinity, Avian Glow 🕊️