Focus and the Lack Thereof: Pondering, Volunteers, Distraction, BIRDS!

When I was freshly into my college years I began reading books that challenged my thinking with novel ideas and thought-provoking concepts. One of these concepts revolved around Focus; specifically, that our minds are actually quite good at it! At least, when we want them to be. Anyway, the main idea was that what we focus on and attend to in earnest becomes important. These objects of Focus dictate not only what we do but who we are and who we become. This was an important concept for young Graham to confront; it showed me that I was capable of change and growth during a period when I was doing new things, in new places, with new people, while at the same time entering a period of self-reflection that would prove to be, to say the least, tumultuous and confusing. Now, while I am no longer in my late teens/early twenties I again find myself in a new place, with new people, doing new things, and this idea of Focus has been rolling around in my head.

Here at Las Tangaras there are many things that require our attention, our Focus: the needs of the cabana (so.many.things), the upkeep of the trails, the research, seeing as many cool things as possible, and on and on. The daily dilemma then, is this: what do we focus on today? What do we attend to, mentally and physically? Maybe it’s a day devoted to trail work where, unfortunately, I cannot bird while I walk the trails but instead must cut back encroaching vegetation and limbs that seek to dip into the open space and the sun access it offers. Perhaps it’s a day spent around the cabana doing the hundreds of little things that make up our lives here; sweeping the porch steps and the cabana interior, airing out blankets from guests, taking out the compost, etc. Or maybe there are guests and we enter hosting mode. By chance it’s a morning with nothing pressing and the Focus becomes a morning hike, up Bosque or down the river, searching for whatever there is to be found (probably birds). These are just some of the many options that each day presents. What will we attend to today?

         In this question lies the beauty of this experience and the majesty of Las Tangaras. Whether you’re here for almost 6 months like us, a week or so as a volunteer, or even just a day visit or a morning Cock of the Rock lek tour, there is just SO MUCH HERE! There are always new things to see and do, new learnings to be had, another level deeper to go. We recently had an influx of volunteers, which for us means three people here for about a week, who got to experience a bit of this “SO MUCH”. We eagerly set them to work around the property. They helped accomplish an array of tasks including but not limited to trail work, treating boards with Maderol, cleaning the bookshelves/all the books on them, cleaning up rubber boots, and assisting in daily tasks like putting out hummingbird feeders. Additionally, all three had an interest in night critters and after days spent working hard there were many fruitful night walks resulting in some very cool additions to the monthly species lists. While it appeared that the days spent working and the nights spent walking did take a toll (there were lots of midday naps), none of our volunteers lost their gumption and continued to meet each day with enthusiasm. It was a pleasure to watch people take such initiative in their desire to not only experience this place as guests but to be active participants in its upkeep. Their time here set us up for success and their work left its mark on Las Tangaras. We greatly appreciate their efforts and their companionship while here!

In addition to daily tasks, occasionally coordinating volunteers, and completing larger projects like the shower (thanks Daley!), we indeed also find time to have fun. Not that all the cleaning, data entry, other work, etc. isn’t fun and rewarding in a way but it’s not particularly relaxing. So, in our “free time” what do we choose to attend to? Well, obviously, the birds! Not only the birds of course but the birds are dynamic, colorful, loud, and, well, always around, not to mention our daily hummingbird counts. This month we began to truly notice the effects of the lower rainfall on the activity of our feathered friends; lower frequency of sightings in some areas, higher in others, and changes in observed species to name a few. But just observing the birds isn’t enough. Both of us enjoy drawing and art and thus one of our pass-times has been sketching some of birds that we’ve observed around Las Tangaras.

Through our art we are attending to many things; the practice of a skill, gaining a more intimate knowledge of the subjects in our pieces, and more than anything else the joy of the process of creation. Circling back to the beginning of this post and our eager 20ish year-old Graham…I used to believe that other people could partake in this creative process but not me. I held this very self-limiting belief, that I was not an artist, for a large part of my life. In the last few years I began breaking it down and replacing it with a different belief. In this process I actively, purposefully, and at times painfully (yes, a bit dramatic), chose to Focus on this new set of beliefs regarding art and my ability to create. Yay for growth!

I find that, at times, Focusing amidst the ever-changing multitudes of stimulation here is difficult. Even sitting down to write a blog post can be challenging, especially when sitting out on the porch. The dynamic nature of the jungle, especially in the morning, spurns me to move, to be about, to do…something, though I am not always sure what. Or maybe it is my tendency towards distraction. Either way, while we are here at Las Tangaras we have the opportunity to be away from the many distractions, stimulations, and the, well let’s just say the junk (we all know what I mean) of back home. We have space and time, peace and simple routines, in which to reflect and experiment. To try new things, to fail, to learn, and to repeat this process. To create. We have time to Focus and to become distracted by the innumerable truly awesome things here at Las Tangaras.