Make way for Mama Duck! {Video of Ducklings stopping traffic inside!}

Recently I had an incredible experience that spoke strongly to me on several levels.

I was sitting in my parked car, sending an email. I heard a commotion and when I looked up, I couldn’t believe what I saw: A mama duck leading a parade of 12 ducklings straight down the middle of a busy street!

I jumped into action, stopping traffic to protect the ducks and cheering the mama duck on, “You can do it! It’s OK—I’ve got you!”

Part of my delight came from the band of fellow helpers who materialized instantly, creating a buffer zone around the ducks. Together, we shepherded the duck family past restaurants, cars, people, and even dogs. 

Somebody in our interspecies parade asked where we were headed. I called out, “We’re going to the wildlife refuge!” because I knew we were about five blocks from one. We worked as an organized group as we kept the ducks from veering off of the direction they needed to go in.

At one point, the ducks all had to hop up a curb. One of the ducklings struggled, trying and failing to make it up onto the curb. We held our breath as the duckling failed two times. But then the duckling succeeded on the third try, and we broke out in cheers!

My adrenaline was racing. I can only imagine how that mama duck was feeling!

As Team Ducks said goodbye to the ducks as they reached safety, I was overwhelmed with the beauty of what had just taken place. And I realized that this story applies to me, my clients, and all of us.

The Universe Has Your Back—Helpers Will Appear

When we struggle, we feel alone and vulnerable. And yet struggle is a natural part of life and part of the creative process. At some point, we feel that we have wandered into traffic and our families could be trampled under foot at any moment.

But helpers appear—sometimes in guises that we don’t anticipate. And sometimes we are helped and guided by unseen helpers. The universe wants to shepherd you out of danger and onto sure footing. We need to trust that we are heading into the right direction and that others want what’s best for us.

We Are All the Mama Duck

I felt a kinship with that mama duck. Right now, I can so relate to the serious responsibility she’s shouldering. I’m preparing to move, running my art business, caring for my toddler daughter, filing my taxes… I am literally getting my ducks in a row. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed with responsibilities and terrified of getting bowled over!

And yet mama duck kept her wits about her. She didn’t flap her wings wildly or run from the people helping her. She kept marching on, leading her children onward. She accepted the help that was offered to her without questioning her worthiness or wondering what might be expected of her in return. She placed trust in strangers and the universe.

This is absolutely a prescription for us when we struggle. If mama duck can do it, so can we.

We Are Also the Helpers

Sometimes, we are the ducks, in need of help. But often we are the bystanders, seeing someone else struggling. By providing the help that we can, we can inspire others to join in and we can ease or eliminate someone’s struggle.

It’s easy to decide to help an animal in trouble. We need to act with the same knee-jerk decisiveness when we have an opportunity to help a fellow artist or fellow human, when at all possible. Sometimes the smallest act of help can have a far-reaching impact.

Proud to be Moved

Lastly, this encounter left me weeping with joy—at the successful outcome and at the beauty of the impromptu team effort. No matter the struggles I face in life, I want to remain able to be moved by the beauty of magical moments like this and the lessons they can teach me.

What about you? Have you had a powerful moment when strangers banded together to help an animal or person? I’d love to hear your story, email me!