Stop Looking at It as A Battle
by Robert Meagher on 07/07/23
![](https://images.pexels.com/photos/47359/squirrel-wildlife-nature-animal-47359.jpeg?auto=compress&cs=tinysrgb&w=1600)
This month’s message is a simple, yet precious, little story
about how we look at things can make all the difference.
I live in a 110-unit condominium building. There is a
wonderful sense of community in this building. In part, because of numerous
community-based initiatives going on in and around the building. One of these
initiatives is an old-fashioned composting program. This composting program
uses discarded, raw fruits and vegetables, and other compostable matter, to
create rich soil additive for the gardens around the property. The program has
been a tremendous success for the community, and even some of the wildlife.
One of the wildlife benefactors of this program is the local
squirrel population. The squirrels have easy access to the bin contents via air
vents that they have widened to aid in their access and exit from the bins. I
have tried plugging up the holes in the past, but the squirrels are very adept
at undoing whatever efforts I make to block the holes. Years ago, I decided I
liked the idea the squirrels could avail themselves of the fresh produce in the
bins, especially during the cold winter months, as it provided a dependable
food source for them.
This season, however, the squirrels have been making their
presence known more than usual. Often, the squirrels choose to excavate a
significant portion of the bin contents outside the bin, leaving mounds of
compost strewn around the base of the bins. On the days I discover the squirrels
mischievous behavior, there are typically several squirrels perched on branches
in the trees above the bins, gazing down at me.
When I’m in a playful mood, I will talk to them. I’ll tell
them I’m glad they are enjoying the compost deposits but ask them if they could
mind their manners a little better so as not to leave so much leftover outside
the bins. Sometimes, the squirrels will peer down at me, squawking at me,
twitching their tails, chattering away. I’ll often carry on my exchange with
them—as I pick up the mess—treating them like they know full well what I am
saying. It’s become a bit of a playful game between me and the squirrels.
Surely, if anyone was watching the scene from afar, they would want me
committed!
Earlier this week I ran into a community member at the
compost bins. She was making a deposit of some compostable material. We got to
chatting and the topic of the local squirrel community came up. I shared my
experience above with her. We both laughed and she said to me…
“You know, when we stop looking at it as a battle, we can
begin to look at it as a circus.” We both roared laughing.
I walked away from the exchange with a profound sense of
gratitude for the gracious exchange and the endearing pearl of wisdom offered
me. While the little jewel was offered in the context of the playful times I
was sharing with the squirrels, I was very aware how far-reaching this little
wisdom saying has in our daily lives.
How often do we approach life as a battle? A confrontation,
an argument, an upset, a long-held grievance against a colleague, friend, or
family member. There is no end to the litany of battles we wage on an ongoing
basis.
But what opportunities are there to turn these battles into
something we can laugh at and have fun with?
Robert Meagher has
been ordained as an Interfaith Minister and certified as a Sacred Attention Therapy (SAT) Therapist. Robert is the Founder and Spiritual
Director for Spiritual Guidance and Co-Founder of the Center for Human Awakening.