Nature

 As I feel 2012 coming to a close, I am desiring to slow down and follow my animals' example of listening.  

There is so much in the silence and sounds of nature from which to learn.

Have you ever wondered why animals are so attuned to nature and aware of what is happening outside?  Even when they are relaxing and snoozing, they shift to high alert immediately if danger is near.  They don't miss a thing.  Their animal nature respects adventure, noise, aroma, surprise, beauty, and last but not least, silence.  

I once had a very amazing teacher who said, "Nature always gives back, go to nature and ask for what you want.  It will return to you twofold".  This last sentence I added because although I couldn't remember his exact words, this was certainly the essence of his message.

I know when I go out in nature, I always feel better . Yesterday I rolled on the grass, and found the experience to be both fun and relaxing.  As I reflected upon my teacher's message about communicating with nature about what you want, I also recalled his suggestion that if you can't get out in nature or onto the earth, you can bring nature inside to you.  He suggested that to do this, you can take a large bowl or pan, fill it with Mother Earth, put in under your desk or wherever you spend time, immerse your bare feet in the dirt, and feel the relaxation Mother Earth brings to you.

Our animals seem to know this well.  They can spend an eternity simply observing and relaxing in nature.  I find following this advice a bit challenging, but also healing.  My mind seems to stop whirling, my senses seem to calm, and my intuition seems to heighten when I immerse myself in silence and in Mother Earth.

Give it a try and see if you agree!

Lessons on forgiveness

 We mere mortals spend so much of our lives hanging onto things, harboring resentment and regret, and criticizing ourselves and others.  But do our pets carry such burdens?  Well, I admit to having a few cats who have let me know after I have been gone for a few days that they are not pleased.   But for the most part, my experience with pets is that they forgive quickly and let go. 

Why in the world do we two-leggeds  hang on to what we perceive as righteous criticism?  This has come to mind recently because the pain in my shoulder has brought my attention to resentment that I have been shouldering.  Are there lessons to learn from my shoulder pain?  And are there lessons to learn from our animals?   

Yesterday I spent the day writing down what had been bothering me, things that I felt resentful about and justified in feeling about others in my life.  Through forgiveness, I physically alleviated some pain that had been stuck in my neck and shoulder.  I didn't get rid of all of the pain, but I had an opportunity to observe and feel a difference.  

And yes, I have lessons to learn from my animals as well.  My heart melts at their ability to let go of any annoyance, regret or anger.  Their brains don't hold onto it, I believe, because they live in the moment.  How wise they are not to hold resentment in their bodies!  Their patience and acceptance in life is admirable and in turn, serves them well.  They don't look at life through filters as we do, filters which are typically clogged up with familial behaviors and patterns that skew our perception of people and circumstances.  Our animals don't waste time looking through rear-view mirrors, questioning choices about themselves and others.  And when we humans slip into this mode, does it serve us? 

Life is too short not to forgive.  Forgiveness is truly the way to joy and healing.  Our pets are living examples of the joy of living with a forgiving heart.  Watch them, be with them, play with them, and try not to smile.