Category: Seasons

The Mysterious Hummingbird: A Moment That Stayed With Me

The Mysterious Hummingbird

A quiet moment that made me pause

It was just after sunrise on a hot summer morning. The kind of morning where the world feels still and heavy with possibility. I was sitting in a chair on my back deck, coffee in hand, letting the day begin in the most modern way possible: scrolling through Instagram, distracted and half-awake.

Kicking back on the deck — just me, my chair, and the view

Kicking back Scrolling

I don’t remember what I was looking at — probably someone’s vacation or a perfectly staged breakfast — but whatever it was, it had all of my attention. That is, until a sudden flutter near my head snapped me out of my scrolling trance.

At first, I ignored it. Probably just a bug or a bird passing by, I thought. But then I stopped and looked up.

And there it was.

A hummingbird. Hovering directly above me, wings a blur, its little body completely still except for its rapid heartbeat of flight. It was looking right at me — or at least it felt that way.

I froze.

For a few seconds, the world disappeared. There was no Instagram, no phone, no noise — just me looking up at this little creature hanging in the air, as if time itself had paused. I stared up at it like I had just seen an angel.

Image of the spot where a hummingbird was seen moments before disappearing

And maybe, in a way, I had.The moment didn’t last long. The hummingbird darted off into the morning air, vanishing as quickly as it had arrived. But the feeling stayed. A strange mix of awe, stillness, and something else I can’t quite name.

It was as if the universe had reached down and gently tapped me on the shoulder: Look up. Be here. Right now.

I’m not sure what the hummingbird meant, or if it meant anything at all. But ever since that morning, I’ve caught myself putting the phone down a little more often. Listening to the silence. Looking up.

Because sometimes, it’s in those small, unexpected moments that the world reminds us how alive it really is.

No hummingbird in sight, just the echo of a beautiful, missed moment

But what about you?
Have you ever had a hummingbird hover so close you could hear its wings whisper?
What did that moment feel like—surprise, awe, maybe even a little magic?
I’d love to hear your story. Feel free to share in the comments or reach out if this resonates with you.

If you enjoyed reading The Mysterious Hummingbird: A Moment That Stayed With Me subscribe to our e-mail list at Sheri’s Dream Catcher to stay updated with new blog posts

Opinion Disclaimer-This is a personal blog. Any views or opinions represented in this blog are personal and belong solely to the owner and do not represent those of people, institutions or organizations that the owner may or may not be associated with in professional or personal capacity, unless explicitly stated. Any views or opinions are not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company or individual

A Mind That Organizes in August: How I Prepare for the Season Ahead

Lately, I’ve noticed how my thoughts begin to shift this time of year. I start organizing—not always in the physical sense, but mentally. My routines, priorities, plans, and possibilities all get quietly sorted and re-stacked somewhere in the background. It’s a kind of seasonal mindset shift that helps me feel grounded—even if I can’t predict exactly what’s coming.

There’s something about this time of year—late summer, early August—that stirs up a quiet but persistent need to organize.

Maybe it’s the memory of back-to-school seasons past, when new calendars and sharpened pencils marked a fresh start. Or maybe it’s the way the light begins to change, subtly reminding us that another season is on the way. Whatever it is, my brain seems to treat August as a kind of natural reset. Not a dramatic overhaul, just a mental tidying-up.

Lately, I’ve noticed how my thoughts begin to shift this time of year. I start organizing—not always in the physical sense, but mentally. My routines, priorities, plans, and possibilities all get quietly sorted and re-stacked somewhere in the background. I think about what could happen in the months ahead. What I might need to let go of. What I might need to make room for. It’s a kind of seasonal mindset shift that helps me feel grounded—even if I can’t predict exactly what’s coming.

Grounding at The Seafood Festival Charlestown, RI –Minimal yet meaningful

This isn’t about being overly ambitious or making strict goals. It’s more about scanning the landscape of my life and quietly asking, “Am I ready for what might come next?”

Sometimes the answer is yes. Often it’s, “Almost.” But the act of thinking through it—mentally preparing for the new season—is comforting in itself. Even when I don’t know what’s coming, it feels grounding to prepare as if I could.

August has become my personal season of reflection. It’s a time where I gently take stock, tune into what I need, and organize my thoughts in a way that brings clarity. There’s something soothing about this kind of quiet productivity—it’s not loud, not visible to others, but it clears mental space for growth.

Idling in neutral
Snug Harbor Marina RI-Harbor hush — the boats wait in the calm of the day

This time of year, I find myself embracing that middle ground between rest and readiness. Between what’s fading and what hasn’t arrived yet. And somehow, that mental organizing helps me hold both things at once—the known and the unknown—with a little more grace.

What about you?
Do you find yourself thinking differently as summer starts to wind down? How do you prepare—mentally, emotionally, practically—for the upcoming season? Whether it’s through journaling, decluttering, or just giving yourself some breathing room, I’d love to hear how you navigate this mindful transition.

Feel free to share in the comments or reach out if this resonates with you.

If you enjoyed reading A Mind That Organizes in August: How I Prepare For The Season Ahead subscribe to our e-mail list at Sheri’s Dream Catcher to stay updated with new blog posts

Opinion Disclaimer-This is a personal blog. Any views or opinions represented in this blog are personal and belong solely to the owner and do not represent those of people, institutions or organizations that the owner may or may not be associated with in professional or personal capacity, unless explicitly stated. Any views or opinions are not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company or individual