For as long as I can remember, I have always had a strong affinity for the beautiful Eastern bluebird. Often synonymous with feelings of happiness, the bluebird is recognized as a universal symbol of cheer and positivity. Cue the music now…I can hear the song lyrics in my mind reminding me of a bluebird on my shoulder, which I actually do have in the form of a tattoo.
Our home in northeastern Oklahoma has been a haven for bluebirds for many years. We enjoy observing them throughout the year, but especially during the nesting season, which is mid-February through early August in Oklahoma. We welcomed the bluebirds and encouraged them to take up residence by building bluebird nest boxes and placing them in various locations on our 13-acre property.
For explanatory purposes, a bluebird brood is a set of offspring hatched and raised together during one nesting cycle. This period of time starts when the eggs are initially laid until the hatchlings leave the nest. Bluebirds can have up to 4 broods with each brood consisting of several light blue-colored eggs. This season, we noticed one brood with pearly white eggs, which can occur, although it is rare. The timeline is relatively quick, since it just takes about 30 days from the egg being laid until the hatchling leaves the nest.
Needless to say, with all of this activity, we have an abundance of bluebirds on our property. We frequently see them perched on the fence wires or on the power lines, resting on the top of a nesting box, on the roof of the studio space and going to and from the trees that surround our home.
Spiritually speaking, the bluebird encourages us to find joy in everyday moments. According to Animal-Speak Pocket Guide, author Ted Andrews shares that bluebird does indeed denote happiness. He writes, “Gentleness brings happiness.” He also states, “Do not force transitions. Allow change to come in the manner best for you.” This message reminds us to be present and adaptable to the changes that can and do occur.
Whether it be bluebirds or something else that delights us, we are all being invited to experience life fully and not simply go through the motions of life on autopilot. Happiness is deemed an emotional state characterized by feelings of joy, satisfaction, contentment and fulfillment.
When people reference happiness, they might be talking about how they feel in the present moment, or they could be referring to how they feel about life overall. Perhaps, they are recognizing both!
With the concept of happiness in mind, here are 5 proven tips to live with more joy and happiness in life.
- Do what you love – We can take time to invest energy in the perceived small things, especially if they make us happy and bring us joy. A small time investment has an immeasurable return of investment.
- Know your energy investments – We can become more aware of how and with whom we’re investing our emotional, mental, financial and physical energy. We can also assess whether these activities bring us joy, connection, nurturing, rest and creativity to our lives.
- Explore more – We are being encouraged to explore, discover and experience more of what brings us joy. Life is meant to be lived, and emotions are meant to be felt. Fear tends to suppress living because we avoid taking perceived risks in life or doing things outside of our what-we-know-zone. We may be fearful of the outcome or what others may think of us, so we avoid doing something new or different altogether. Perhaps, we need to simply reframe our perception and choose to see these potential opportunities as adventurous explorations.
- Hone in on your happiness – Yes, this means you! We can each become more aware of our own energetic emission, so that we can create more consciously. If something doesn’t light us up or lift us up, it’s okay to not do it.
- Pursue your passions – Initially, this process may entail connecting to our heart and spirit, so that we can acknowledge what we are passionate about. We may be guided to foster this in others by encouraging them to pursue their passions as well. Pursue what you are passionate about as often as you can.
Most recently, my mission entails following the joy. I’m captivated by caterpillars and surrounded by bluebirds of happiness. I’m choosing to live each day as present as I possibly can, and I hope you choose to do the same.
