Lessons from a Squirrel
If you currently have or have ever had a bird feeder on your home turf, then I think you’d probably agree with me that “bird” feeder is a misnomer. It might as well be called a “free for all feeder,” as it’s more like a mini animal trough. Hence, the lead-in to this month’s message, or as I almost titled it, “Being Schooled by a Squirrel.”
Squirrels have many reputations. From the youngster’s perspective of “aw, isn’t that a cute, furry creature,” to an adult’s oftentimes viewpoint of this animal being a “pest”, “nuisance”, or “oversized rat with a tail.”
Both perceptions hold truth.
Having fallen more on the grownup side of things lately, I decided to connect deeper with the squirrel psyche to see what this bushy-tailed being is here to teach me.
Now, I’m not trying to be overdramatic, but lately it’s been close to an all out war between me and the squirrels in my backyard, or as I’ve thought of it….
“The Standoff”
Until now.
Prior to the now….no matter what I did, no matter how many times I yelled, ran after, or shooed them away, they came right back, picking up right where they left off. There’s one in particular I call “Ethan,” the name of Tom Cruise’s character from the M.I. movie franchise, and if you saw him you would know why. He, or she, literally scurries up the side of the shed, scampers across the pole where the bird feeder hangs, then hangs by back feet/toes, and drops down the wire to grab as much nuts, seeds, and berries as they can with their front paws-more like Mission Possible than Impossible. I’ve even tried to make peace by offering a bountiful placement of the food on the ground, thinking they would ignore the feeder. Silly me.
So what did I decide to do? Surrender.
Whenever I feel like I’m fighting a losing battle, I now take it as an invitation to move into acceptance or surrender, which then leads me into freedom. And after a time of reflection, I start to look for the lessons or gifts that are there. So….
In no particular order, here’s how I’m being schooled by my squirrels:
1. Don’t take “no” or a “go on now” for an answer.
-Here’s the thing… that thing you want may or may not work out, but it’s the effort or the principle of trying that matters most.
No matter how many times I’ve tried to run off these critters, they pay no mind in the long run. They keep coming back, they fight the good fight, and most of the time they eventually win. They read the room. They are hyperfocused on a single goal. Quitting? They have no idea what that means.
How many times have you and I just wanted to throw our hands up in the air, lay down on the floor, and say, “I’m done!” We may not know what it’s all for, but there is something inside all of us that wants to venture out, to discover, or to learn. Most successful creators were told “thanks, but no thanks” before hitting the bigtime. And as my dad likes to say, it’s like trying to find the ball in the high weeds. Because you never know.
2. Be persistent as you know what.
Stay in the flow.
Once you decide not to take no for an answer, learn how to surf.
Squirrels are incredibly patient. Laser-beam focus with intentionality. They know I’ll go back inside my nest, resume my routine, then BAM, they persist-which earns them the pest reputation. Rather than seeing them as pests, what if we saw this trait as highly valuable or highly desirable?
Get back up on your surf board.
“Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.”
—Confucius
Know the tides, feel the water move, so that you know when to make YOUR move.
Or when the pesky human goes back inside her house.
3. Never give up-Stay resilient.
“If you’re going through hell, keep going.”
—Winston Churchill
Similar to the first 2, resilience is that decision you make-the one that requires commitment. Contrary to how this may seem, commitment is not based on emotion-feelings but are a part of it, but usually, commitment is an intention, meaning it’s not based on how you feel. For me, this goes hand in hand with resilience. And resilience isn’t just getting through a hard time. Yes, that’s true, but only part of it. The other part of it is how you recharge. Renewing your batteries through investment of self keeps you going. Or as a squirrel would say, know when to lay low, hide, or rest, until it’s safe to move again.
4. Trust your intuition.
Wild animals are primal, yes, but they are also highly intelligent and intuitive. They pick up on signals, read the vibes, and trust their body’s responses to a potential danger or a “bad nut.”
If you’ve seen the Willy Wonka film, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, then you’re familiar with the character of Veruca Salt and what happens to her. I find this scene in the movie both hilarious and redeeming. When “Daddy” fails to get his little princess a squirrel, she decides to take matters into her own hands and pays the price.
If you come across a bad nut or must endure one in your life, don’t throw them down a garbage chute, but rather be resourceful and learn how to set boundaries and say NO.
5. Don’t forget to play.
It’s not all frustration with my squirrels.
As I get ready for work in the mornings, I look out my windows and watch, usually 2 or 3 squirrels in the trees, springing from branch to branch, chasing one another. I’m not as curious as to why, but rather I simply enjoy the chase. Squirrels are known for preparing for winter with the gathering of the fall harvest for the cold ahead, but look more closely when they’re just jumping around having a grand ole time.
Remember to play and just be yourself.
And Finally….
6. Be Bold.
There are always those moments before it hits the fan, when I come out of the house, prepared for the inevitable showdown, the stare down, eye to eye, high noon, the “whatcha goin do” message being silently communicated.
I have to say, I admire this. Some of them literally wait until I’m right up on them before running off. It could be from the freeze affect, you know that adrenaline rush of flight, fight, or freeze, but I choose to perceive it as boldness. As someone who has struggled with being seen and heard from my own fears, learning how to be bold is something I want more of.
Thank you, dear squirrels. Thank you.
So the next time a squirrel gets in your bird feeder, before running them off if you must, take a second to just notice them. Just watch. Maybe there’s a message for you and they’re showing up to demonstrate how you can know yourself a bit better.
And aren’t we all just a squirrel trying to get a nut?
Til next we meet in the forest….
Love,
Amanda♥️
P.S. The old bird feeder finally broke from the pressure of the squirrels (and likely raccoons) after I wrote this, and I replaced it with one of those squirrel-proof feeders. So far, so good, but they still climb on top and try their best before jumping down and eating off the ground, and I have to say I miss not having as many of our “showdowns.” 🐿️
