I saw a film today that I won't soon forget.
It was a documentary about a flock of parrots who live in city of San Francisco, and a man named Mark Bittner who is drawn to taking care of them. He gets to know their personalities, names them, cares for them when they are sick, and feeds them out of his hand. He is like a modern day Francis of Assisi, but my feeling is he would be embarrassed by this comparison. He seemed very humble and genuine to me, not at all about ego.
Here are a few points that stood out for me.
First, Bittner knew how to slow down and really take life in. He patiently waited to find his talent, his place in the world. He consciously chose to live an extremely simplified lifestyle, and not play the fast game of society that leaves so many of us relating to that David Byrne song “Once In a Lifetime.”
Second, there was something saint-like about him. He was caring, compassionate, authentic, a real observer of life. He gave without any expectancy of payment, fame, or acknowledgment. He gave simply because he grew to care for these beautiful birds and was intrigued by them. Well, OK, maybe he was looking for friendship and companionship.
Third, by most standards he would be considered uneducated. But, he kept extensive journals and became an expert on these birds. It says in the movie that is rare that parrots were studied up close in the wilds, as it is difficult to walk in jungles. He was probably one of the few with firsthand information.
At the beginning of the movie was a provocative interchange with a man who questioned Bittner about his choice to care for these wild parrots. He probed Bittner - asking him, was it necessary? He was in such contrast to Bittner, so completely in his head and not in his heart. If I'm honest, he irked me because I am probably closer to him in personality than Bittner, even if I am not so in your face as he was.
And last, again if I'm being honest, I wouldn't have the courage that Bittner had to live so on the fringes of society and chase my muse, although again, out of lack of ego, Bittner would likely not call it courage, just something he had to do. You go, St. Mark of San Francisco.
I'd encourage you to see this movie and see what it brings up for you.
