It’s a sad commentary on civilization that the more civilized we are, the more removed we are from the world of nature and the less “natural” we become. Living as we do in a digital haze, we hurry through life with one eye on our iPods, phones, tablets and laptops while keeping the other on the road, the kids, or the people standing in front of us in line. While we’re rushing, we miss out on many of the awe-inspiring miracles enfolding and flowering around and beneath us. It’s a good thing we have to look up at the moon once a month for Birkas HaLevana or we might never even notice that there is a silver orb up there, surrounded by worlds of stars!
But you needn’t wait for Birkas HaLevana or the Nachlieli. All times are good times to tune into Nature and gaze at the sky. Or to look down and observe the ground. Just open your eyes, unplug your ears and close your gadgets. It’s vital that your ears are free so you can hear the birds singing, the insects buzzing, the wind blowing and the rain splattering. If you’re connected to an MP3 or an iPod, you’re not really connected to your environment. I know, because I tried several times. Not only couldn’t I really concentrate on what I was hearing, but I couldn’t really see what I was seeing. So instead of doing two things at once, I did half of each and lost much of the enjoyment on both fronts. Maybe other people are more talented than I and are able to derive full benefit from the simultaneous use of several faculties at once. Or maybe, having grown older and hopefully wiser, I finally realize that multi-tasking is not always what it’s made out to be. If an angel isn’t expected to perform more than one task at a time, why should I?
The Nachlieli doesn’t multi-task. Its song is a pure expression of praise. When searching for food, it’s on serious business which demands total concentration. Whether they are nesting, flying for pure enjoyment (yes, birds do that, just for the fun of it – have you ever bothered to look up and watch them?) or whatever else it is that birds and other creatures do, they do it wholeheartedly and with kavanna.
I guess politicians do their work wholeheartedly and with kavanna too. Maybe even a bit too much. I appreciate their great fortitude and willpower, but a bit more humility (and integrity?) would be a welcome addition to their efforts.
Like the annual, seasonal appearance of the Nachlieli, I suppose the seasonal, pre-election appearance and chatter of politicians will always be with us as well. While the Nachlieli’s constant chirping may seem like useless chatter to us, it’s a bird’s truthful testimony and service in honor of its Creator. And it delights the soul. Which is more than can be said about the chatter of most politicians.