American Kestrel : The Light in Your Eyes

American Kestrel

This is an American Kestrel.  He’s one of my very favorite birds.  I received this photo in haste, reacting quickly as I glanced up and saw him coming across the trail.  In the moment, I feared the photo would be too blurred or fail to reflect the bird’s essence.  I was as surprised as I was delighted when I looked on the computer and discovered that the photo spoke to me, and I hope, to others as well.  The bold markings grab us first; then we see the subtle details in the feathers.  But it’s the eye, with its reflected sunlight, that draws us in and establishes a connection that most powerfully ties us together.  We need that illumination to establish a bond, to give us a focal point for our attention.  Lacking that light, we’d lack the deep connection.

Moses spent forty days on Mt. Sinai inscribing the second set of tablets containing the Ten Commandments.  This was an unprecedented encounter with the Divine, a face to face interaction, which tradition teaches has never been replicated.  Moses was in proximity in a way that no other prophet has experienced.  And when he descended, his face, unexpectedly radiant with reflected light, was so intense that all the people cowered in front of him.  Moses was first able to speak only with Aaron and the tribal chiefs; the common people took longer to feel comfortable.  And subsequently, when not actively teaching his community, Moses is said to have veiled his face.  Even his residual reflected light was unbearably potent.

We all find ourselves as teachers at times.  Parents have this responsibility to children.  In community organizations, we share perspectives and information.  And even if “Teacher” isn’t our profession, we pass along accumulated wisdom at work.  Balancing communicating fully and meaningfully while not being overwhelming is a very real challenge.  To what degree must we illuminate?  To what degree must we not overawe?  Finding the sweet spot comes only with intense focus and conscious attention - and then it changes!  The lesson - from the Kestrel and Moses - is to be open to delighted surprise when you get it right and equally open to course correction when you get it wrong.  And always, always keep sharing the light.