“Joyas Valadores”, by Brian Doyle, is an unorthodox yet compelling essay about the perception of life specifically in terms of beating hearts in the world around us. Doyle explores the concept that hearts or “flying jewels” connect many living organisms despite vast differences. Elaboration on the unique aspects of a hummingbird’s heart gives readers an opportunity to adjust their scope on the gift of a heart and truly appreciate something that is frequently taken for granted.

Brian Doyle commences his piece by asking his readers to think about hummingbirds for a moment. On the surface, hummingbirds are simply a pleasant species. They visit over a thousand flowers per day and are the only bird able to fly backwards. To most, seeing a hummingbird is just another aspect of everyday life. Hummingbirds tend to blend into human’s general reality of living things. Unlike the majority of people, Doyle perceives this little animal very differently. When one takes the time to study an animal’s unique abilities, there is so much to learn. Brian Doyle provokes one to explore life by explaining that a hummingbird has a unique heart that is the “size of a pencil eraser” (Doyle, 94). This tiny engine is shockingly able to beat ten times in a single second. Hummingbirds can dive at speeds around sixty miles an hour and fly for five hundred straight miles without rest. Their heart rate allows them to live life in the fast lane. The reading of Doyle’s descriptions of a hummingbird, forces a reader to be honored to share the same general organ as an animal as unique as this. As Doyle dives deeper into his analysis, the mood quickly changes. He explains that when it comes time for a hummingbird to rest, their heart rates decline to a near halt. Doyle reveals the tragic reality that “It’s expensive to fly” (Doyle, 95). The very heart that enables these birds to do amazing things also frequently brings them to near death situations. The recognition that hummingbirds suffer more aneurysms and heart attacks than any other creature once again changes a reader’s perception. Hearing the inconsistencies of a hummingbird’s heart makes one appreciate how reliable and consistent the human heart is. Doyle transitions his compelling heart descriptions by showing his audience something completely unlike the small but powerful hummingbird. 

Although society often neglects to recognize it, humans share this planet with many other organisms. The cataloging of different animals’ hearts throws a blanket of similarity over all walks of life. These living organisms are on the ground, in the air, underwater, and even underground. The diversity of heart bearing organisms is revealed when Doyle introduces the blue whale. He does not spent long on them but states that a blue whale’s heart is “as big as a room” and actually measures much bigger than any family’s car (Doyle, 95). Humans simply do not have a great deal of knowledge about these massive aquatic beings. What we do know is that “the animals with the largest hearts in the world generally travel in pairs” giving them a unique quality we can relate to (Doyle, 97). As humans, it is amazing that we share even a single social trait with an animal as unique at a blue whale. For the human, hummingbird, blue whale and every living creature, the gift of a heartbeat provides an opportunity for living in motion. 

The freedom in our lives is frequently taken for granted. People often focus on everyday struggles in life when it is simply just amazing that we are all here at all. Doyle’s focus on hearts helps one grow an appreciation for our choices available in life. His focus on unique aspects of a heart enables one to realize that life in general is precious and special. Hearts draw us closer to other walks of life. Although many animals may seem very different, we are all working off of a similar engine that only has a finite amount of time left. Broadening the scope of a heart’s gift makes sitting down on a bench and witnessing walks of life seem like a great idea. Appreciation for life can come from simply observing a small bird for an extended period of time. Hearts do not last forever but rather serve as a window of time to be a part of something so unbelievably special. Doyle simply started a concept that should continue in everyone’s lives. He mentioned two living organisms that make life beautiful but there is so much more than hummingbirds and blue whales in the world.

Doyle explains, “every creature on earth has approximately two billion heartbeats to spend in a lifetime” (Doyle, 97). Most typically would agree this is amazing but it requires a deeper understanding of hearts around us to actually change a perspective on life and appreciate every living being for the gift of heartbeats they were handed. Doyle makes it clear that one should look around but the concept of looking around should not just be taken literally. An alternative scope on life and specifically hearts enables one to continue to live life with a growing appreciation, which Doyle sparked with a single little hummingbird. 
