Bella was fortunate to have someone who relates. You were fortunate to have her too.
I had a similarly self-destructive bird who perched on a car mirror and feverishly battled himself each day. A hawk's silhouette, 2" and cut from packing paper, taped to the car window, deterred the bird and I wonder how often my own self destruction might be stopped by choosing a scarier thing on which to focus? Do we need challenges? To keep our minds from beating themsleves ragged? I think I do.
I find I can't think of a single personal problem when I'm dipped to the chin in 52° pacific waters... Those 3 minutes of mental peace let me face the rest of my day with my feathers intact (mostly).
This is beautiful Steve. And this: “ I wonder how often my own self destruction might be stopped by choosing a scarier thing on which to focus?” Just that practice of taking ourselves out of the small frame for a moment, right? And yes a cold plunge is so good for the feathers. I love how you said that.
"I learned to watch for the skin to quiver on her back from fear or anxiety or both. I learned to watch how she was holding her mouth, to sense the changes in her breathing, in the tension of her muscles." I am thinking about how I learned, so early, to watch those around me so closely, and where that ability came from, and how it both does and does not serve me now. How it's part of being like that bird, and also a human who can care for a wounded dog. So much to sit with in this brief piece.
I love to get inspired by nature and animals and your post spoke to me so deeply. Thank you for sharing so wisely and clearly. The little bird and Bella feel like some of my inner wounded parts and I'm so glad you inspired me to connect with them and give them extra love. 💞 I hope that Bella is finding her Self more and more every day. And you too, dear Jocelyn! Healing from Trauma is such a worthwhile Journey.
Katja, thank you for those kind words! That's exactly the metaphor that came up when I started writing this - the bird and Bella as part of our inner wounded parts too. Yes! I'm so so happy to hear this piece inspired you to connect with yours and give them extra love. That means more to me than you know. And so much yes, it can be a hard road at times, but it is beyond worth it! xoxo
Jocelyn, you have a way of tugging at my heart. I feel for you and for Bella. Hoping you are finding some safety and peace from your chiropractor. I used to do acupuncture and it was so calming and centering that I would leave the sessions in a stupor. Loved it. Beautiful piece and thank you for the shout out, friend.
Steve, that's such a big complement. Thank you. And thank you for the peace. I really am. Acupuncture is wonderful too. I did about a year with a very good doctor and she really changed my body and my life. Yesterday, after the chrio, I was totally spacey! I had to just hang out before I drove home. ;)
Haha my daughter used to work at an acupuncturist’s office and it was definitely a thing. She had to assess whether or not a client was safe to drive or not.
Yes, Rita, me too. And yes! We’re like the bird and also the dog and also the caregiver. I’m so thrilled you felt that, saw that. And I’m so happy this short piece resonated. ❤️❤️❤️
Bella was fortunate to have someone who relates. You were fortunate to have her too.
I had a similarly self-destructive bird who perched on a car mirror and feverishly battled himself each day. A hawk's silhouette, 2" and cut from packing paper, taped to the car window, deterred the bird and I wonder how often my own self destruction might be stopped by choosing a scarier thing on which to focus? Do we need challenges? To keep our minds from beating themsleves ragged? I think I do.
I find I can't think of a single personal problem when I'm dipped to the chin in 52° pacific waters... Those 3 minutes of mental peace let me face the rest of my day with my feathers intact (mostly).
This is beautiful Steve. And this: “ I wonder how often my own self destruction might be stopped by choosing a scarier thing on which to focus?” Just that practice of taking ourselves out of the small frame for a moment, right? And yes a cold plunge is so good for the feathers. I love how you said that.
"I learned to watch for the skin to quiver on her back from fear or anxiety or both. I learned to watch how she was holding her mouth, to sense the changes in her breathing, in the tension of her muscles." I am thinking about how I learned, so early, to watch those around me so closely, and where that ability came from, and how it both does and does not serve me now. How it's part of being like that bird, and also a human who can care for a wounded dog. So much to sit with in this brief piece.
I love to get inspired by nature and animals and your post spoke to me so deeply. Thank you for sharing so wisely and clearly. The little bird and Bella feel like some of my inner wounded parts and I'm so glad you inspired me to connect with them and give them extra love. 💞 I hope that Bella is finding her Self more and more every day. And you too, dear Jocelyn! Healing from Trauma is such a worthwhile Journey.
Katja, thank you for those kind words! That's exactly the metaphor that came up when I started writing this - the bird and Bella as part of our inner wounded parts too. Yes! I'm so so happy to hear this piece inspired you to connect with yours and give them extra love. That means more to me than you know. And so much yes, it can be a hard road at times, but it is beyond worth it! xoxo
Jocelyn, you have a way of tugging at my heart. I feel for you and for Bella. Hoping you are finding some safety and peace from your chiropractor. I used to do acupuncture and it was so calming and centering that I would leave the sessions in a stupor. Loved it. Beautiful piece and thank you for the shout out, friend.
Steve, that's such a big complement. Thank you. And thank you for the peace. I really am. Acupuncture is wonderful too. I did about a year with a very good doctor and she really changed my body and my life. Yesterday, after the chrio, I was totally spacey! I had to just hang out before I drove home. ;)
Haha my daughter used to work at an acupuncturist’s office and it was definitely a thing. She had to assess whether or not a client was safe to drive or not.
Beautiful ❤️🩹
Thank you Mesa!💕
Yes, Rita, me too. And yes! We’re like the bird and also the dog and also the caregiver. I’m so thrilled you felt that, saw that. And I’m so happy this short piece resonated. ❤️❤️❤️