Small Steps – Birdsong!
04_14_2018
Small Steps – Birdsong!
If I were asked to name a common ingredient or a fundamental aspect of activities that help us continue to evolve, I know that my ready response would point to LEARNING! Learning comes in many shapes and forms. It typically includes some type of new knowledge or skill, but these signs of new knowledge may include new factual knowledge, increased self-awareness or insights, new or sharpened skills, new adventures, etc.
I find that by paying attention to urges or inklings I experience can often direct me to new learning opportunities. These urges or ideas usually don’t surface accompanied by flashing red lights. Instead, they pass through my mental awareness as soft whispers or gossamer threads of ideas. To register these passing potential treasures and opportunities for expansion, one has to be aware or conscious with enough focus for the idea to “stick.”
Let me share a recent example in my life. Now that Spring has made a haphazardly appearance in New England, walking outdoors has a higher probability of being a pleasant experience. This time of year offers all kinds of new stimuli.
One recent morning as I was walking on one of my favorite paths in a semi-wooded, nature preserve, I was struck by all of the bird songs. I was reminded by a flashing thought that I had repeatedly wished that I was better able to identify birds by their songs as well as by sight. I’ve worked at this process a number of years ago, and then got away from it, partly as a result of frustration and a lack of confidence that I could be successful in this endeavor.
But chalk it up to the time being right, I made a mental note to remind myself when I heard birds singing that I wanted to search the Internet to get suggestions on how to go about this. One day working in my home office a Robin landed in a tree alongside my office window, and it was a perfect reminder to do a search. On my first hit on Google, I discovered three apps that were highly recommended. I was able to download 2 of the 3 recommended apps – I couldn’t find the 3rd app. One app is called “Song Sleuth” and the other is “Chirp! USA.”
I was excited to experiment with the new programs, and the next time that I was outside preparing my garden beds for new plantings, the birds were engaged in heavy conversations. I quickly grabbed my phone, and discovered that there is a “record” button on the Song Sleuth app; I pressed it and recorded bird songs for about two minutes. The next screen requests that you identify which State you are located in, and once you select a State, a new screen pops up and identifies which species could match your recordings.
Along with each species identified, there is a colored representation of what the bird looks like and there is a probability rating indicating the likelihood that the bird in question may be the one you are hearing. A rating of “uncommon” versus “common” gives you some indication of what you might be listening to.
So without a whole lot of effort or time invested, I was able to open the door to an interest that had percolating for some time. By having access to the additional tools that enhanced my sense of success in this pursuit, I am optimistic and thus more likely to pursue this endeavor.
There were even more subtle learnings that I was aware of in this process as well. When I first saw the screen that showed 4-5 possible species that I might be listening to, my first thought was, “No wonder I’m confused, the app can’t distinguish the difference from the songs either.” Quickly this thought was followed by another insight: “Maybe the reason that there are multiple birds represented on the screen is that there are multiple species singing at the same time.” This second thought represented an insight that I hadn’t thought of before.
So these insights helped move me from my internal dialogue that included a critical voice casting doubt on my ability to learn how to discern the difference between bird songs to a more enlightened insight that learning to differentiate bird songs is a complex activity that requires practice, time, and patience, not to mention some helpful resources!
I am optimistic that I can explore and enjoy this emerging interest, and that this pursuit holds promise of helping me evolve as I explore new settings and share this interest with others who are most likely further along in this pursuit than I am.
