“Silent” and “Listen” are spelled with the same letters. –Unknown
Happy Day 20 everyone!
How awesome is that quote – I love it! Man, that Unknown was one wise person ;)
So, I just got done creating my pile of clothes to give away. Finding 10 things was not a problem, so if there are any of you who were a few items under 10, I probably have you covered. This is something I do a couple of times a year – yet I never have a problem getting rid of more stuff. Stuff, stuff, stuff – how do we get so much stuff? The tricky part was going through Hollister’s things and trying to pick 10 items. I sent her a video of my selections, but am yet to hear back (gulp).
Day 20: Wilbur!I know this one is going to stretch most of you. Your assignment today is to listen to an animal (or animals). It could be your pet, a neighbor’s pet, a squirrel in the backyard or park, or maybe even a trip to the zoo for those who want to go the extra mile. You ask, “Why are we listening to animals?” Well, it has been proven on many…many levels that animals are much more intelligent than we give them credit for…especially when it comes to their ability to listen and communicate on a more intuitive level – as well as being able to perceive people and situations on a deeper intuitive level. So, can you go into a listening space today and allow yourself (ego) to be the student – and allow the animal to be the teacher? That is the humble listening space we are looking for. Once you do some listening – break out the journal and write down what you heard!!
Okay – I would love to hear from as many of you as possible on this one :)
Don’t Give Up: I continue to hear from more of you who have hit some resistance this past week. If you have stopped, and you’re not sure it is resistance – it is probably resistance. Don’t take it personally – just dust yourself off and keep going. I found this video today that inspires me every time I see it. I remember watching this race on TV in 1992 – and the Visa commercial made it famous years later. In case you plan on giving up – give this a look:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZlXWp6vFdE&feature=related
Reminder: In case you don’t remember – you are worth it! Your individual growth and evolution is worth it – and it is needed for yourself, those around you – and the world! Can you feel it?
Have a wonderful YES day.
“For those who don’t NO!”
Travis Thomas
travislthomas@mac.com
“Laughing Yes”
Blog page: http://blog.directlifecoach.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/30-Days-of-YES
Youtube page: http://www.youtube.com/user/30DaysofYES?feature=watch
Direct Life Coaching Blog
Free Coaching Call
RSS Feeds
Posts
Comments
Subscribe
Archives
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
6 comments:
Maryl sent me this video that was perfect for today. If you have an interaction with an animal that is this fluid - please let me know :)
http://www.break.com/index/ultimate-dog-tease-2053833
Travis --
For once I'm ahead of you. Yesterday late in the afternoon after a bike ride I was outside near the shed when I looked up and saw what appeared to be a nest. I was absent-mindedly wondering if it might be a squirrel nest . . . and within a minute I saw one, two, three squirrels in the dense leaf coverage, two of them smaller, part of the new crop.
After a while of watching them skitter about I sat down on the pavement. At that point our German Shepherd Bodhi caught wind of the activity, launching him into prey overdrive. He became a big-footed, panting predator, crashing through the undergrowth beneath the oak tree, barking from time to time, circling around and leaping futilely into the air most of the time.
The squirrels seemed utterly indifferent. They scampered across limbs, crawled out on twiggy extensions, flung themselves onto other trees. Just weeks ago Bodhi cornered and killed a squirrel on the ground and the remaining squirrels spat and screeched at him for days. In the trees they seemed unaffected by this monster of destruction below.
From my sitting position I lay back on the cool driveway and eventually fell in love with the clouds above.
Sooo, had a great experience listening to a bird yesterday in the Science Center here at Principia College. Upon hearing the assignment, my first thoughts were -- awesome! I'm feeling a little crazy right now, so this is just perfect! Instead of my would-be immediate reaction of "what! that is crazy," I was actually excited to try and interact with an animal. Ever since hearing other's experience gaining inspiration from animals at the zoo, I have been very open to it. Heck, if some alpaca wants to give me the meaning of life, I'll listen ;)
I was hoping to get away with listening to my friend's dog, though said dog hadn't arrived on campus yet (maybe later :)). However, she suggested I hit up the plethora of animals in the bio department. So, I decided to visit the aviary :)
Because students are arriving this weekend, the campus is still somewhat quiet. The Science Center was dark & as I walked past the aviary, at first I didn't see any birds. So, I tried the room with the huge snake, turtles and other reptilian, which, to my dismay was locked. Feeling somewhat defeated, I headed back towards the aviary & discovered this really fat bird sitting on a branch. Because he didn't really look like he was going anywhere, I decided to engage with him.
What was interesting was what came up. First of all, one reason I was looking forward to this assignment was because I was pretty sure some great stories would be created if I was discovered. In fact, I took my journal just in case, so that I could say I was just 'observing' this creature ....in the dark....by myself....on a Saturday night....at 7:30pm. Fortunately, the grace of God had told me that it was ok to sit down, just in time to duck away from an old spotting me (quite possibly the LAST person I would ever want to be discovered by).
One thing I noticed was how easily distracted I was getting by what else was going on -- footsteps down the hall, the heating vent, another bird that was flying around. So, it took a while to actually be able to tune all that out and just listen....really listen.
As I moved to the floor, I continued to commune with Mrs. Bird. Though I am accustomed to maintaining eye contact, there were some moments where I shut my eyes and just listened...which brought some neat inspiration. As in prayer, I wasn't 100% sure if it was me or the bird who was doing the talking, as I definitely had a pretty nice outline I'd created for the experience.
I ended up staying for about 45 mins to glean all I could from Mr. Bird. After rising to say goodbye, I found myself standing at the glass for a while, completely entranced by the bird. It was interesting to think about the difference between observing & listening....though both I found out were part of the experiment later.
Anyway, I look forward to communing more with animals of all sorts in the future. Again, I wrestle with the question: what if we listened to GOD or nature in the same way that we listened to our dearest friends & acquaintances??
Thanks, Trav, for the experience!
Today was going to be a busy day with the majority of the day being away from home. So I was trying to figure out where I was going to fit in a listening session with an unknown animal.
Time for a run before the day gets away from me. Our boys said they would run with me to the beach this morning. Halfway there, the four yr old decided to run back home. On the way, we saw a beautiful egret standing in a canal. Upon our return from some beach repose, the egret was still there, and I thought "here it is!...this is my opportunity!"
I told Holland he could run ahead back home because I was going to stay with this egret. He asked if he could stay with me...sure as long as he knew it was going to be quiet listening, "yes," he said. "Sounds like fun, mom!"
A few minutes in, I felt grounded in the stillness. I noticed the art of being, rather than doing. (for all three of us)
I watched three more birds, either Ibis or egrets, join this white egret, as if they knew there was something strong and assuring about his presence. I could hear the sound of gratitude being shared from him to me. Thanking us for taking a few moments to be with him.
When I asked Holland what he heard, he told me "I think he's hungry and looking for food." Seconds later, he plunged that long beak into the water and enjoyed his mid-morning snack!
I had to work in the office this morning - and then had a busy day in the dorm. Ashton and Ben have two dogs - and Ashton asked me if I wanted to borrow one of their dogs. "Of course!"
So, for the last 30 minutes of my shift I sat in the office with their beautiful greyhound Lawrence (which happens to be my middle name). As I got quiet and silently expressed so much love and appreciation for Lawrence - he was a calming influence. He lives in a loud dorm, with loud boys. There were moments when kids were coming in and out of the office - being their normal loud selves. But Lawrence never flinched or responded - he just layed their unfazed. What an awesome lesson of peace and calm.
It actually reminded me of Jesus on the ship with the disciples as the storm kicks up - but Jesus slept below - peaceful. That was Lawrence - reassuring me that peace and calm is the best approach to any and all outside influences :)
LY
This was SWEEEEET!!!!
I love hanging with our pup, and love to nap with him and layed down next to him, watched him settle in, offer a few kisses and get REALLY still.
Twas immediatly apparent that he is the one, ALWAYS listening to me, following me around quietly, laying near me, knowing my every move - that is some WOW of unselfish, devoted listening that feels like REAL LOVE.
Felt awe-inspiring to consciously return that love - What a MODEL....
Post a Comment