Fighting Monsters and Other Dog Park Musings

I was walking along the shore at the dog park today and I noticed a girl with her adult human and her dog coming in the opposite direction. She was wearing a sweatshirt with the hood up that had either a unicorn horn or dragon scales on it, a yellow eye mask, and carrying a small blue lightsaber toy.

Girl: hiiii!

Me: hello! You look like a superhero.

Girl: I am!!! *throws both arms in the air*

Me: hooray! You look great. What’s your dog’s name?

Girl: Willy. I was tired of fighting monsters so I wanted to come here.

Me: you needed a break from fighting monsters?

Girl: yup!

Me too, superhero, me too! Despite not going to as many places as I used to now that we are staying at home, I often find myself more tired lately and, at the same time, so grateful to have my daily dose of nature. So whether you are fighting monsters, exploring your shadows, befriending parts of yourself, resisting viruses, burning it down to rebuild back up, steering your ships during these choppy waters, here’s your reminder to take a break when you need it. Go to your happy place, chase your joy, ask for help, bask in the sun for a few secs, rest. It’s okay to be tired and it’s okay to take a break!

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All spring, I’ve been fascinated by this enchanting pair of trees at the dog park. I wonder what type of vortex caused it to grow in spirals. And isn’t that kind of what this time is doing to us? Causing us to twist, change, adapt, innovate? Sometimes our journey feels like we are going two steps forwards and one step backwards. But really, there is no back or forward when it comes to our growth. Only upwards on the spiral of our life curriculum. We might feel like we are right back where we were before, but we are actually up a few rungs on the spiral- always carrying with us the lessons from our experience: the pain of our process and the joy of our existence (and everything in between).

May this time (and image) remind you of the twisty spiraly resiliency dance you are capable of making in times of transition, change, and unknown. Like these trees, find ways to stay grounded and rooted. Find ways to stay connected to your community and support networks.

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This past Wednesday was a New Moon AND Earth Day. It was sunny and warm here in MN and the day felt special. While I celebrate Earth Day EVERY day, I wrote a little gratitude list in the evening to honor how nature inspired me that day:

Grateful today for the smell of fresh grass
sunny blue cloud-filled morning sky
snake crossing my path
dog park mornings with my boy
slow changes from winter spring summer
green shoots and fresh buds
birds, bees, squirrels, trees
wise river movement
spider medicine
sun rays, moon beams, star lights
my muscles, bones, tissues
sweat, tears, rain, snow, sleet
breath inhaling and exhaling
heart beating and earth turning

Grateful for the earth, my home
my body, my home

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And I’m grateful to have you here. I hope, if you’re able, that you’ll find some time to be outside this weekend. For me, the trees and the birds’ songs and the sun’s rays have been a balm for my spirit and body this spring.