 So many things to do, and seemingly so little time, all too often there are too many distractions demanding our attention and we loose sight of what matters most. We can feel off center, out of balance and out of control. Ever notice that when it comes to life in general, our dogs never seem to experience the constraints that disconnect them from enjoying life?
Certainly there are situations that demand rescue, when it comes to dogs, but even then, once they are brought into safe situations, they find their center remarkably quickly. We on the other hand seem to go in the other direction! We seem to live much of our lives attempting to find our center when really there is a simple solution. Go jump in a lake! LOL Literally, or metaphorically, connecting to nature, being at one with the elements of earth, air, fire and water, naturally bring us to our organic state of oneness with ourselves and energetically with the earth herself! Take a lesson from dog. When they are given the opportunity to jump in the lake, they do! Whether it's wading, laying on the damp shore or romping in the deep end, they align with the elements because it feels that good. When dogs are drawing near to crossing over the rainbow bridge they prefer to lay on the earth versus be inside, because they find deep comfort when being at one with Mother Gaia. Here is the prescription for all of us. Kick off your shoes and stand barefoot on the grass, take some deep breaths and let go. Additional options include sitting with your back against a tree, which may include a lovely magical walk in the woods. And of course there is always the option if at all possible to go jump in a lake and ENJOY! Peace, Love & Wufs, Rev Deb, Chooks & Sam
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 Bringing our Temple Cats into the mix for this post I wanted to point out how incredible it is to snuggle with your kitty and to hear them purr. That deep rich sound that resonates from their throats and indicates a deep in sense of contentment and satisfaction.
You know immediately when what you are doing is the right thing to be doing because our kitties let you know it. You never have to guess because as any cat guardian will tell you, if you aren't doing it right, they will let you know with a quickness. (In some cases, with a little pain. LOL). What if it were possible for you to find your own contented purr? Do you think it is possible? I do. It starts with knowing yourself. What you like and what you don't. It continues with being able to find your own voice and then the ability to share with others who are important in your life. You deserve to find a way to speak your truth, ask for what you need, and let another know if something is not feeling good. Finding your voice is not the easiest thing to do. Largely due to the fact that there are a lot of layers and usually a very deep and difficult dive involved. However it's worth it. Think of your cat, stretch out in the sun, enjoying its' tummy being tickled and purring with deep, peaceful contentment. That could be you! When you find yourself fully expressed, able to ask for what you need, when you need it, able to communicate the things that serve or work for you, you will have indeed found your spot in the sun, and your contented purr. Peace, Love and Wufs, Rev Deb, Chooks & Sam  Dogs are always amazing, because fur-giveness / forgiveness is in their nature. You don't have to ask for it, although I have. An example, I have stepped on Sam's paw, by accident, he is little and he loves to get under my feet. I apologize to him and rub his foot, but here is the truth; I don't have to do this, any of it, and he would be just as ecstatic to see me, as he always is. It is literally in his nature. (By the way, the pic this week, is Sam, otherwise known as Samuel Samson Lee Bishop!)
Dogs tussle with each other, learning boundaries and pack positioning, but once the noise is over, they settle in and life goes on. They don't harbor resentment, and if anything, they respect what has happened. People, now we are a whole other animal - ha ha! We have much to learn about forgiveness. Where dog's let go pretty much right away, we hold on to things. We spend precious time trying to figure out what whatever has happened might mean and we assign meaning to it, as if we actually know! Often we don't address what upsets up, instead we shove it down. We treat apologies as if they are precious metals only to be given out when someone grovels appropriately at our feet! Ok, I'm being a bit dramatic. But, I think I make a point. If we are in the wrong, we apologize, but mostly because we think we are supposed to, it's social etiquette but more often than not, not genuine. How can I say this? Because even though we say we are sorry, we end up doing the same thing yet again, more often than not. Dogs live in the present and live unencumbered by all the stuff we dwell on, hence forgiveness comes naturally to them. They never carry a heavy heart filled with resentment. What would life we like if we all simply practiced forgiveness that level of ease? Peace, Love and Wufs, Rev Deb Bishop, Sam and Chooks  OK let's just admit it, we all treat our babies, just because we love them. Not because they did anything great, or amazing, not even because we are training them, just because they are so darn cute! And let's also admit that they have got us figured out because they know exactly where the treats are and precisely how to look extra sweet so they get one.
Never mind them looking extra cute, how about when they demand one? And they do. They will come into the kitchen or where every you keep the treats and literally post up in your way, with a look of conviction and complete determination. If you tell them to leave, the side eye is lethal! LOL. After all, don't we know that they deserve a treat just because they are them? And, that's the lesson. Don't we all deserve a treat, to do something extra fun, too have a vacation, a staycation, a picnic, a night of romance, or whatever, just because we are us? When was the last time you allowed yourself to treat yourself? Sure that may mean having a sweet little something every once in a while, but treats don't have to have anything to do with food. Being kind to yourself is a treat. Encouraging yourself is as delicious a morsel as any slice of cake could ever be. Allowing yourself to be pampered, is a treat. Hanging with friends, taking a day off, hiring a maid instead of you cleaning, these are all treats. Going for a hike and getting lost in nature, that's a treat you can enjoy with your fur babies! I'm not suggesting anyone go overboard on the treats, balance is important, but. . . When it comes to you and me, I'm not sure we are in the practice of treating ourselves at all! Since we aren't furry and four-legged with big beautiful eyes that can look just the right mixture of puppy cuteness with a touch of poor baby, and since we don't have someone else ready to slip us a snack, we deserve to learn to treat ourselves. Sometimes you just have to say yes and have a little ice cream! Peace, Love and Wufs, Rev Deb, Chooks and Sam  Dogs howl for various reasons, but it is all for one purpose. Like humans, they are communicating through the use of their voices. The howl is a point of connection. That connection is to one another in the pack, to others who may be in a different pack, and to the earth herself. Howling can be in celebration, signifying the end of a successful hunt, amongst coyotes or wolves, in essence it's the ringing of a dinner bell. It can also be expressed in a time of grief for our furry four legged friends. Howling is done to attract attention, it is done to express excitement and it is always done with great enthusiasm, regardless of the reason. The power of howling amongst dogs is signifies a deep connection both to each another and to themselves.
As humans we have much to learn from our pups, as they express with abandon where we might typically hold back. We often swallow our emotions and stop ourselves from expressing because it may not feel safe, or appropriate. Admittedly in the human world, not every moment is the perfect right moment for us to "howl" however, incorporating a practice of self expression that is about the release of energy while also connecting to the core of our emotional and spiritual nature might be a good thing for all of us to consider. Howling is different to chanting in that when one howls there is not set language, just sound. When connected to our true emotional nature howling can free us from all sorts of burdens and shift our energy to a whole and happier space. Howling to move through grief is very healing and therapeutic. Howling to express joy releases endorphins and uplifts our senses. Howling to connect with ourselves and one another is a way to move past conversation, analysis or discussion and simply dive into the emotional reality of ourselves. The next time you feel overwhelm on any level, or what that matter great happiness, lift your head skyward and let a primal sound, one that existed before language, form in your belly and find its way to your lips. Connect to your emotional self and let go with a beautiful freeing howl. Howl at the moon, howl into the fire, gather friends beat a drum and howl together. Explore the power of howling and enjoy the deeper sense of oneness with all that is, that it naturally offers. If anybody asks you what you are doing, just tell them you are connecting to your inner dog! LOL. Peace, Love and Wufs, Rev Deb, Chooks & Sam  If you ever get to watch a dog - be it a puppy or a senior - get down to it and start to chase their tail, you can't help but laugh. Why? Because we know that they will probably never get it, but it they do, they quickly figure out it belongs to them and holding on to it makes little to no sense.
What tail might you be chasing right now? Maybe it's something to do with a relationship in your life that isn't going quite the way you want it to. Maybe it's a work situation that is driving you a bit batty. Maybe it's a situation that you really don't need to take on or have something to do with, but somehow you are stressing about it and taking it on all the same! Maybe you woke up this morning and just didn't like where you found yourself. Perhaps you saw an old friend who you haven't caught up with in a long while and you discovered that they have had massive success and you compared yourself. Whatever the reason, if you are chasing your tail I can imagine you are not laughing. Let's go back to what dogs do for a moment. What did we learn earlier? 1) They rarely if ever catch their tail. So let's understand that if you are chasing a tail somewhere in your life, you are really just going in circles, and more then likely you won't catch anything. 2) If they do catch it, they realize it belongs to them and quickly let it go. Let's take from this that whatever might be hanging you up right now and has you running in circles, is really your own attachments and it makes no sense to dig your teeth into them because then you're reinforcing that which you are already hanging on to! Whew : ) Let's just realize that dogs chase their tails because for a moment it seems like a good idea and maybe even fun. We miss the boat on that one, chasing our metaphorical tail is never fun and usually we do it for way longer than a moment. The moral to this whole situation is. . . Stop chasing those tails because as long as you do, you will never catch a break. Peace, Love & Wufs, Rev Deb, Chooks & Sam Sam  If you ever come across a dog that is barking ferociously at you, as scary as that can be, the truth is it's more afraid of you then you are of it! I know it may not feel that way because nobody likes to have a dog basically yelling at them. But. , , what I personally learned from a wonderful trainer who works with guard dogs and is responsible for training some of the top security pooches, is that the louder they bark and run around when you approach the more afraid they actually are!
Interesting right? Please understand I'm not saying they won't do harm, they might as an anxious dog can be unpredictable, so don't be thinking you shouldn't be careful. I am saying that when you understand they are actually scared, you might be able to shift your energy and instead of being in fear yourself, change the scenario which in turn will calm them down. Now think about the people you know and how many may not exactly bark at you, but are defensive and seem to be very reactive. What if they are really in fear? It might be completely subconscious, in fact they may have no idea of their behavior, but. . . If you shift your energy, you might find they become much more responsive and easier to handle. People - like pups - can get worked up, aggressive in their energy and reactive, when they are uncertain, or feeling like they must protect themselves. It is not logical, but rather emotional and is often triggered without them fully understanding what is happening. For dogs it is instinct, no thought involved. For humans it is triggers that are on auto pilot and often run quite deep, again however there is not actual conscious thought involved, it is reactive. In both cases, proceed with consciousness! When you remember to breathe, slow down and ground yourself, you will find that everything around you becomes clearer. Sometimes it is best to change direction, perhaps find another way to get to your desire destination. Other times it may just be a redirect of the situation which will bring with it a positive outcome. Barking means many things, the most important part you can play is not to bark back! Peace, Love and Wufs, Rev Deb, Chooks & Sam  We all could use a little more love, and that's for sure. In todays world there are so many twists and turns and unexpected events, and if you tune into the news - which I recommend you don't - the picture it paints is not pretty. Sometimes we all have to remember to simply take a breath and maybe another, and send ourselves as much love as possible.
If you are lucky enough to be sharing your life with your fur baby / babies, turn to them. Look at how they look at you and look at yourself the same way, to the best of your ability. When you get home and they are so happy to see you they can barely contain themselves, realize how valuable you are. Hold that thought, capture that feeling and send it to yourself whenever you feel down. Watch the way your pups play with wild abandon, forgetting themselves in the moment, and not caring who is watching. Allow yourself to play like that, behind closed doors if needed. Turn on the music and dance like a fool. Better yet, get out there and play with your pups. They will not judge you, and they will always include you. There is so much good in their eyes, because they see life in the moment. A really great practice to adopt. Remember this too, whatever your are facing in this moment; "These things too shall pass". Dogs and cats, live in the moment and don't hang onto what was, they enjoy what is. Indeed that is the way of all creatures. The truth is the moment is all we have, so the more that you can bring your focus to the here and now, the happier you may find yourself. And. . . the most amazing way to bring more love into your life, is to give more love into the world. This can be through simple prayers or meditation, it can be through smiling at a stranger, it can be through volunteering, making a donation, or even - dare I say - adopting a shelter baby, if your circumstances permit. Whatever is next for any and all of us, if we allow for more love, it can only be good! Peace, Love & Wufs, Rev Deb, Chooks & Sam  Sometimes we all have to stop, drop and listen to the silence.
Like a puppy plays and plays and it's all chaos and suddenly without warning they fall over and pass out! They have played hard and fast and now it's time to rest. So too can our days be chaotic and sometimes overwhelming, The balls we have in the air can drop on the floor and roll under the couch and as much as we may want them, we simply can't get under the couch to get them. LOL. When we run and run and run, there comes a time when we have to rest, or life will take a turn and we will rest whether we like it or not. Things like a cold, the flu, or sometimes more serious realities can set in and that is no fun. Puppies have it figured out. They rest at the precise moments they need to. They turn inward and allow themselves to regenerate and restore. We all deserve this. Take a paws and reflect on your own personal energy levels, and maybe the last time you allowed yourself to decompress and let go for a while. When you allow yourself this kind of time it will certainly bless you with renewed life force and a more positive purr-spective! Peace, Love and Wufs, Rev Deb, Chooks & Sam  Sometimes we have to stop and think about whether or not we want something. Sometimes we say yes and commit to things that are not really what we want to do, but we feel we have too. Sometimes we find ourselves in situations that don't feel good, but we don't totally know what to do about it.
Dogs never commit to anything they don't want to do. They show up for stuff that excites them, and they enjoy every minute that they possibly can. And if there is something they don't want, they let you know. They don't share if they don't want to, they don't allow some other dog to take charge, they let them know beyond a shadow of a doubt to get their paws off! There are situations in life where compromises are important, however for the most part we don't have to sell ourselves short and submit to things we'd really rather not do. There isn't an award waiting for us if we sacrifice ourselves, and losing ourselves inside of obligations that only feel burdensome to us benefits no one. Dogs tend to be joyful in life because they are tapped into the moment and embrace it with all that they are. They don't wast time feeling obligated, and they certainly don't show up because they think if they don't they will be letting someone else down. When their paws are in, they are all the way in! Time is precious and dogs live every minute as if they are aware of this fact. When you are faced with decisions that you don't feel good about it may be time for you to say "paws off" and reclaim your freedom from anything that feels burdensome. I'm not saying that we will love everything we do, however we do deserve to feel as though we are making choices that serve us. Peace, Love & Wufs, Rev Deb, Chooks & Sam |
Our WishDina Rae and Rev Deb invite you to enjoy this curated experience. May your tails wag with satisfaction and your hearts be warmed by all that you see. Archives
September 2023
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