Journey of the Heart.

2014-02-12 10.10.24For the past five weeks I’ve been taking part in a class called, “Unwrapping the True Self.” We have one more week to go. Another six weeks will start up again in April.

Yesterday when we got to class one of the ladies of the group had arrived early. Laying across the counter were different pretty little journals she had made. We each got to choose one. What a lovely gesture, I thought!

My eye immediately was drawn to this journal of splashes of orange, pinks, yellows, and a bit of lavender.  I found that interesting as my eye usually goes straight for more blues and purples of which there were some journals in those colors as well.

I wanted to second guess myself. But remembering my promise to myself a few weeks earlier, to follow more of my impulses,  I chose the one my eye was first drawn to. At the time I also couldn’t see the writing on the cover of the journal because the ribbon was partially covering it.

After choosing my journal, I sat down, this sweet little treasure in my hands, and untied the tawny, tulle ribbon to reveal what it said: Journey of the Heart.

I smiled. It was perfect.

Our class has been a reminder to me of what is important to me. How I want to live from my true self. Even though I began this journey of authenticity and following my heart over ten years ago, I appreciate and need the little signs that are presented to me to keep going on this path of self discovery.

To go back to not being me is not a place I ever want to be again. Though it has gotten easier over the years to stand stronger in who I am, I am a work in progress—I always will be.

For awhile I thought that once I “arrived” the work would be done. But I remind myself that I am not perfect, but that my heart is my guide.  Being open to what speaks to my heart is the way in which I want to continue this journey.

This adorable little journal will now sit on my desktop as a sweet reminder of how far I’ve come, and how living from the inside out, is a beautiful way in which to be.

The Perfect Matching Accessory.

2014-02-11 09.04.39 eEvery morning after I get dressed, I sit in my large maroon chair and brush Gidget’s teeth. Well, she doesn’t actually let me use a dog tooth brush, but she has gotten pretty good at letting me use gauze and a gel that I rub over her teeth.

After I’m done brushing her teeth, I sit in admiration of her for a few moments.  As I looked down at her today, all of a sudden I realized we were “dressed” in the same colors. She was the perfect matching accessory for my outfit. I think I may just need to carry her in my arms all day long. Much better than a matching purse, don’t you think?

Can We Really Talk to Animals? Video that Brought Tears to My Eyes.

2014-02-08 17.04.41 eI felt crabby most of the weekend which isn’t like me. But I couldn’t seem to shake it. Perhaps it was the combination of website challenges I was having (my website now up and running again- whew), or my email not working, which I’m still working on, or maybe the frigid weather that seems to be relentless. But whatever the reason or reasons, I couldn’t even stand myself at times.  Ever get that way?

After a frustrating day of trying to get my email to work, I gave up. I sat down in my over-sized maroon chair, with Gidget next to me, and decided I needed to read something uplifting. I decided to read my friend, Dawn’s newsletter, Animal Voices. Am I glad I did!

In her newsletter she shared a video called, “The Incredible Story of How Leopard Diablo Became Spirit.” A 13-minute excerpt about the story about a leopard brought to a sanctuary from a zoo in Europe where he had been abused.

Jurg, who runs Jukani Wildlife Sanctuary, was at a loss of how to help Diablo who was miserable. He was a skeptic of animal communication, but didn’t know what else he could do to help this leopard who was so troubled. He decided it was worth a shot to have Anna Breytenbach “talk” with Diablo.  What happened had my eyes filling with joyful tears.

After watching the video, my mood shifted immediately. I was reminded that there is so much we don’t have control over. Watching what happened for Diablo, who became Spirit, reminded me of the bigger picture of life. There is so much amazing beauty around us. If we take the time to find that center, the rest of what is challenging, falls away.

After you watch this video I think you may agree, that yes, we can communicate with our animal friends. We’ve always had this ability, but have lost it because we’ve gotten swallowed up by doing instead of being.

It was a reminder to me once again of the love I have for animals. How truly being in the moment with Kylie or Gidget really centers me. How they make me feel happy to be alive.

I watched the video two more times last night and then drifted off to sleep with a smile on my face. The crabbiness all but a memory.

Today as I was practicing yoga and was in downward dog, I thought again about Diablo, now Spirit, and how I want to be open to an even deeper connection with my dogs. Just then, Gidget appeared next to my face, staring into my eyes.

She had been sleeping in her bed by the fire, but wondered over, which she rarely does. I smiled and held downward dog a bit longer, just being with her in that moment. I didn’t want the moment to end. She walked over to the center of my yoga mat, doing a little jig of sorts so I shook my head side to side with my hair brushing against her to engage her in a little play.  This lasted for about a minute and then off she went to her bed again.

I wondered what may have made her come over to me at that exact moment. But then I realized I was in a place of contentment thinking about our connection with animals replaying the video of the leopard in my mind. Perhaps Gidget sensed this and came to reassure me that we are all connected and we are all one.

After I was done with my yoga, I sat for a few moments with Gidget, just gazing into her eyes. I chuckled and said, “You really are my little Buddha dog, aren’t you?”

I hope the video leaves you in much awe and wonder of our animal friends and all they are teaching us, as it did me.