The hummingbird and a new design

Artwork by Arlene Ness, 2006, http://www.arlenes-art.com/id6.html

Thanks to Angela at Blog Mommas and the drawing her daughter created in October 2012 (below) as a symbol of my blog, I decided to create a new design for my blog and next book using an image/illustration of a hummingbird. (And then I might get it tattooed somewhere on my body. Who knows?!?)

I have been fascinated by hummingbirds since I was a teenager. My stepfather and mom kept a feeder hanging from a post on the outside of our screened-in back porch. It never failed. We would be visited frequently in the mornings and late afternoons by at least one hummingbird. And because there was a barrier (the screen), the birds seemed unaffected by us staring at them through our binoculars. We were able to get really close. Their colors, movement, and peacefulness always awed me.

The following is a blog post written in September 2009 on the blog, “A Light in the Darkness.” Do you think the hummingbird is as appropriate for my writing and motivation as Blog Momma and I think it is ? ~Namaste!

Hummingbird Symbolism

The hummingbird symbolizes many different concepts. Because of its speed, the hummingbird is known as a messenger and stopper of time. It is also a symbol of love, joy, and beauty.

The hummingbird is also able to fly backwards, teaching us that we can look back on our past. But, this bird also teaches that we must not dwell on our past; we need to move forward. When the hummingbird hovers over flowers while drinking nectar, we learn that we should savour each moment, and appreciate the things we love.

The hummingbird has powerful spiritual significance. In the Andes of South America the hummingbird is a symbol of resurrection. It seems to die on cold nights, but comes back to life again at sunrise.

Hummingbird is the creature that opens the heart. When the hurt that caused us to close our hearts gets a chance to heal, our hearts are free to open again.

With hummingbird consciousness, we learn the truth of beauty. Our life becomes a wonderland of delights in flowers, aromas and tastes. We laugh and enjoy creation, we appreciate the magic of the present moment, and the magic of being alive.

Hummingbird teaches us the medicinal properties of plants and how to work with the energy of flowers to heal ourselves and others.

Hummingbirds teach us fierce independence. They teach us to fight in a way where no one gets hurt. They teach us courage. Having the courage to refrain from creating new trauma by communicating non-violently toward ourselves and others is an important part of healing. Recovering lost parts of ourselves enables us to become healthily independent.

It is not commonly known that the fluttering wings of the hummingbird move in the pattern of an infinity symbol – further solidifying their symbolism of eternity, continuity, and infinity.

By observing the Hummingbird, we see they are seemingly tireless. Always actively seeking the sweetest nectar, they remind us to forever seek out the good in life and the beauty in each day. Amazing migrators, some Hummingbirds are known to wing their way as far as 2000 miles to reach their destination. This quality reminds us to be persistent in the pursuit of our dreams, and adopt the tenacity of the Hummingbird in our lives.

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(Content source: http://mara-gamiel.blogspot.com/2009/09/hummingbird-symbolism.html?m=1)

(Artwork by Arlene Ness, Image source: http://estheroinprogress.com/?p=259)