Loud, Proud, and Absolutely Not Helping.

I’ve never been fond of crows. They’re large, loud, and seem to dominate wherever they appear. Their strong beaks can be intimidating, especially if you’ve ever experienced one dive-bombing you. When they visit my yard, they are loud and aggressive, terrifying all the little birds.

I know they are smart; a friend of mine has them respond to her whistle. They know her song and she knows theirs. They share a unique connection, which I find fascinating. However, it has not helped me be less afraid or less annoyed when they swoop down from the tall branches of our trees, looking for food or [it seems] just for the fun of terrorizing the unsuspecting smaller birds or squirrels.

This same feeling of panic rises in me when confronted with loud, brash individuals. My sympathetic nervous system renders me motionless. I instinctively retreat. The proverbial stones they throw feel like a physical blow to my heart. I often spend the next couple of days devising a plan for how to handle it next time. But the next time doesn’t happen exactly the same way, so it begins all over again.

In my younger days, I was quite outspoken. I was one of those who believed in speaking truth regardless of the consequences. I still believe there’s a time for that, as I inherently fight for justice, truth and compassion, though I rarely act on it in obvious ways. Balancing this in my life now is challenging. 

I don’t want to be unkind like I once was. While everyone has an opinion in our digital world, I fail to see how that leads to positive change. It reminds me of my teenage years when I didn’t consider how my words affected others. I can’t say I changed anyone’s perspective, only how they viewed me. I genuinely want to make a positive impact on those I encounter, both in real life and online.

I no longer wish to be like a crow, intruding in ways that aren’t helpful, yet remaining silent isn’t effective either. This desire is a core reason I started this website and blog. I aim to promote LOVE and kindness, hoping that sharing more LOVE will inspire others to do the same. I believe that, ultimately, LOVE will prevail. 

How do you advocate for justice and compassion? I’d love to hear your thoughts.