What makes one creature more vulgar than the next? Some species, such as sturnus vulgaris, aka European starlings, do a good job of living up to the vulgaris part of their Latin name. They’ve been an invasive species here in North America since 1890 when 100 of them were released in New York City’s Central Park. And what could be more vulgar than guests who’ve overstayed their welcome…
… than noisy, complaining, ungrateful ones that can’t seem to get enough of the little you have to offer.
Although vulgarity is often equated with the manners of the masses, it’s certainly not an uncommon trait among the elite, or at least those who think they are…
There is nothing new under the sun, and with time, all things grow old.
Every moment of every day we have the opportunity to change the quality of our days by changing our outlook. Regardless of which flock we fly with, a spirit of thankfulness and reverence is available to us all and a perfect remedy to our ‘common’ and ‘vulgar’ attitudes.
Gratitude bestows reverence, allowing us to encounter everyday epiphanies, those transcendent moments of awe that change forever how we experience life and the world.
~ Sarah Ban Breathnach, originally misattributed to John Milton
Text and photographs copyright Amy-Lynn Bell 2013