The Story of Colibri
The philosophy behind Colibri Counselling & Psychotherapy is inspired by the story of the Colibri, a humble hummingbird, shared by the French thinker Pierre Rabhi, whose work reflected a deep sense of interconnectedness.
The story begins in a vibrant forest. One day, disaster strikes. The forest is engulfed by a raging fire. Everything the animals have known, loved, and called home is threatened with destruction. The landscape changes from familiar to unrecognisable. Amid the chaos, a Colibri, the tiniest of all birds, emerges. It flits back and forth tirelessly. In its delicate beak, it carries drops of water gathered from a nearby stream. Flying into the inferno, the Colibri releases each precious drop onto the fire.
The other animals watch in disbelief, overwhelmed by grief and helplessness. Finally, one of them calls out: “What do you think you’re doing, little bird? How can your tiny drops of water make a difference against a fire so vast?”
​
The Colibri pauses and replies, simply:
​
“I am doing my part.”​
This is the spirit behind Colibri Counselling and Psychotherapy — a Sydney-based grief counselling and psychotherapy practice offering online sessions across Australia.
​
In my work, I honour the wisdom of the Colibri.
This story shares a timeless message about facing what seems impossible. When grief overwhelms us, and we lose someone or something we cannot replace, the pain can feel as intense as a raging fire. We might feel small, powerless, or crushed by a loss that cannot be undone.
​
The colibri teaches us something profound: healing happens little by little. It reminds us of the power of small, intentional actions, even when our loss feels too great to bear.
We spend one moment being present with our pain.
We honour a shared memory.
One morning, we choose to get up and try again.
These small gestures may seem insignificant compared to the vastness of our grief, yet each one truly matters.
​
The Colibri stands for resilience. It seeks sweetness even in the most difficult circumstances. It speaks to the courage of taking responsibility for our own journey, trusting that even modest steps create ripples we cannot always see.
​
I also honour both personal and collective dimensions of healing.
​
We cannot undo loss, but we can choose how we live again with it.
​
Healing may begin with a simple choice, a conversation, or a moment of openness. Over time, we find the strength not to erase our pain, but to relate to it in a new way, honouring what we have lost while still living with meaning and purpose.
I acknowledge the remarkable fauna of Australia, including the diverse honeyeater family, such as the Eastern Spinebill. Its delicate beauty, purposeful presence, and ability to hover while feeding on nectar play a vital role in pollination and the harmony of nature, much like the Colibri of the Americas.
