As a civilized society we spend little time in nature, and when we do most of us are not tuned in to the secrets being revealed to us. We may even believe that nature cannot speak to us; that nature does not have a language. Is it possible that we have become so civilized that we are missing the messages we are receiving?
Animals afford us visions of how our lives could be if we lived more simply and lived with purity of thought and emotion. Animal Totems.
I like the phrases; more simply and lived with purity of thought and emotion. You know that you don’t have to believe in “nature talk” to also agree to the meaning of these phrases but if animals and nature can make you more aware will you try?
In the beginning of all things, wisdom and knowledge were with the animals, for Tirawa, the One Above, did not speak directly to man. He sent certain animals to tell men that he showed himself through the beast, and that from them, and from the stars and the sun and moon should man learn.. all things tell of Tirawa. Eagle Chief (Letakos-Lesa) Pawnee.
A few days ago I saw a (mundane) little bird, a Cape Wagtail, as it jumped from one tree branch to the other. And the first thought that came to mind was that we don’t all have to be a Sister Theresa or a Lady Gaga (you choose your appropriate idol;-). We all have a unique purposes.
However mundane you may feel:
You have powerful medicine (noble and gentle power). Like this bird we have a family that we love and they love us. What more do we want? Simple, with no expectations.
Today while taking my early morning walk, with my dog Geeno, I encountered a Cape Otter on the same spot I saw one last year. Otters are very friendly playful animals. This one came out a few times, a few meters from me; on it’s hind legs tamely looking at me. My heart rushed and Geeno stood frozen.
Some background. Yesterday I received a new Macbook and could not stop playing around. Selfish. Later that night my daughter said that she hopes I will have some sun fun today. If this message was not enough to make me think then the coincidental otter emphasise the point:
Otters know how to float on the currents of life enjoying the beauty that it holds. Their relaxed attitude reminds us to laugh with life and not take things too seriously. They offer us the gift of laughter, trust and playfulness. Read more here on the otter.
Believe in animal talk or not, it does not matter. What matters is that we can be less serious, offer a gift of laughter, trust and playfulness to everyone around us. It will be our act of goodwill. I feel privileged to have messengers like my daughter Nandi, the Cape Wagtail and my otter.
Have animal fun
Johan Horak