Just In™ Brand Inspiration

American Robin is the bird that inspired me and the Just In™ brand.  

American Robins are one of the most common birds in North America. They are often sighted on lawns tugging earthworms out of the ground. On top of being the state bird of Michigan, we have our house’s own robin bird, who nested and brooded on the top of our patio lamp and under our deck. It was a miracle that they came every year for consecutive 3 years given the fact that their average lifespan in nature is only two years.

Although American Robins are least concerned of extinction, their survival rate is not high. Roughly, only 40 percent of nests successfully produce young. And only 25 percent of those fledged young survive to November. With that being said, only about half of robins alive in any year will make it to the next. Despite the fact that a robin bird can live to be 14 years old theoretically, the entire population turns over every six years on average.

In one year, I witnessed the whole story of death and survival. When spring came, four baby robin birds were successfully hatched. Unfortunately, the “Polar Vortex”  hit Michigan and caused a steep temperature drop, it was way more severe than a “cold spell in late spring”（ “倒春寒” ）, consequently, all four baby birds died in the nest. With a vain hope, I waited another day to see miracle happen and they come back to life. They didn’t, unsurprisingly. I waited one more day to bury those dead birds. Since Robin birds don’t reuse their nests, I took the nest down. Surprisingly, the dead birds were not in the nest. It was as clean as it has never been used.  With complicated feelings of confusion, sadness and disappointment, I had to let it be because that’s how nature works. I can’t remember how many days passed, but I still clearly remember that when I saw another nest was built on the same place with new eggs in it, I couldn’t believe in my eyes! And this time, they were vigorously fed, fledging, and successfully flew into the wild! Life is a miracle.

The American robin has a place in Native American mythology.  The story of how the robin got its red breast by fanning the dying flames of a campfire to save a Native American man and a boy is similar to many heroic tales.

Undoubtedly, American robins are considered as harbingers of spring. They sing the first beautiful song every year and almost every morning.

The spiritual meanings are what we humans impart to robins, same as many other good wishes. Robin symbolism resonates to me, to tea, and to Just In™ brand. It teaches me that I can make changes with joy, laughter, and a forever young song in my heart. And I will become independent and self-reliant through changes. Myself and the business that I am passionate about will move forward with grace, tenacity, perseverance and assertion. Happiness is by choice; destiny is by determination. Only one can define his/her own potential.

In reality, we face many difficulties and challenges, especially in the past several years. Life seems has never been this hard with so many twists and turns. If we can get the inspiration from Robin birds or anything inspirational, we try to exercise compassion and patience in mental, spiritual and emotional areas. We accept who we are and learn to incorporate new beginnings with faith and trust in the process. It is the time to believe in yourself and use the inspiration and your own consciousness. Everyday is new.

We believe, miracles will happen, if we put our efforts IN.