Flying Backwards

Hummingbirds can fly backwards, the only group of birds that can. They are also able to fly upside down, although that’s not their usual mode. We too have achieved this with helicopters that can easily fly backwards, and one model that can fly upside down; however, that is a risky maneuver reserved for air shows or extreme rescues.

We ordinary people don’t do the backwards and upside down moves, at least not literally. We do them very subtly, without even realizing we need to “straighten up and fly right.” (Something my father told us often! It is the name of a Nat King Cole song, but I have no idea if that’s where my father got the expression.) We are sometimes upside down and backwards when it comes to understanding our own feelings and also interpreting the intentions of others toward us. I am not going to attempt extensive definitions, but simply make some observations and you can see if you recognize any of them.

We mistake intelligence for reason. (One can be ever so smart and not have “a lick of common sense.”)

We substitute superstition and bargaining for faith.

We become infatuated and call it “love.” (Love will be intent on giving rather than getting.)

We confuse fear with painfully learned caution.

We suffer shame instead of guilt. (Shame attacks who I am; guilt focuses on something I did for which I can ask forgiveness.)

We mis-read control as caring. (Genuine consideration does not manipulate.)

We seek vengeance in the name of justice.

We assign blame instead of responsibility. (It doesn’t always matter whose “fault” the problem is; we can probably help solve it.)

We give ourselves to urgent matters rather than to important ones.

We hide the lust to possess by calling it need.

We go for clever suggestions rather than visionary ideas.

We satisfy ourselves with slogans instead of principles.

We scatter verbiage everywhere and consider ourselves great communicators.

We determine to win even if we have to sacrifice truth.

We choose being “right” over being honest.

MaryMartha
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Email: mrymrtha@gmail.com