Week13

“Birding has tripled the time I spent outdoors… I has proved more meditative than meditation.” — Ed Yong

While reading Ed Yong’s When I Became a Birder, Almost Everything Else Fell Into Place, it reminded me of when, during my class time gap, I went to the little park here on campus. Before, I would go to the library and finish some of my work or read a book. The library seems to be a place to have peace and quietness. However, recently, the weather has been nice in the mornings — not too hot, not too cold, not too cloudy, and not too sunny. One day, I decided to sit at the little park here on campus. I sat at the table and did my work. Since there were no people, I was in solidarity, listening to the chirpings of the birds and the noise of the leaves from the trees. I felt the same way I did in the library. The difference is that I was outside with nature. I can’t possibly make this a hobby and write about my experiences, like Ed Yong, but I can continue to do this just to clear my mind and focus on doing my work.

I haven’t been able to feel this way since I was a kid at my grandma’s little ranch in the middle of the hills in Mexico due to school and work, or so I thought. This little experience made me realize I can do it and no longer think I can’t. As mentioned before, it might not be a hobby, but I know I can do it whenever I have the time and am free to do so. Ever since attending Piedmont U., I never felt the need to go and sit at the little park, maybe because I just felt like I didn’t have the time to do it and also because I never saw students go. I recommend going to the little park for just a few minutes if you have time and hopefully, it’ll help you clear your mind.