Maybe it’s because I live in NYC, but I feel like everyone around me operates from a state of being frazzled, worried, and in a hurry. Count me in. Just because I’m doing exactly what I love, doesn’t mean I feel like I have enough hours in the day to do it. Lately I’ve been having a hard time falling asleep because my brain just won’t turn off—it keeps going over everything I have to get done the next day, two weeks from now, the year 2019…
No surprises, my cat is right in tune with my energy. When I’m lying awake at night trying to fall asleep but getting distracted by the meaning of life, the universe, and everything, I’ll hear my cat start to meow loudly from afar (sounds like a distress call), making her way into the bedroom. Then she jumps on the bed with a toy in her mouth (still meowing full volume), and drops it on me. On the odd night when I go to bed with a clear mind and have successfully put worries aside, I hear no urgent meowing and never get a cat-toy drop-off. It’s classic animal lesson behavior—when you improve your state of being, calm your energy, or address what’s been bothering you, your animal’s curious/annoying/disruptive behavior lessens.
It’s not always our own animal teaching us a lesson. The other day I was torn between giving myself a day off, which I hadn’t done in a while, and getting some work done. Even though it came with a heavy dose of guilt, I left work behind and went to Central Park to sit at the vortex, a magical circular arrangement of trees. I closed my eyes and decided to ask the trees, wise as they are, “what do I need to know right now?” The answer I heard was “forgive yourself.” Then I opened my eyes to see an impossibly cute little white dog unleashed in front of me, running at top speed, and gleefully jumping over invisible hurtles. Basically, his joy was up in my face, undeniable. The lesson? Forgive yourself for wanting to have fun—lighten up, and the joy will come.
What are the animals in your life teaching you? Here’s a clue—it always has something to do with how to be happier, more at peace, and your best self. Now go run in the grass like you just don’t care.
It’s all about the magic. 🙌