Brothers and Sisters . . . Oh, My!

       

Brother and Sister

06.24.17.

Lulu has arrived--and she has been here for just one week. Teddy kind of likes her, but is a bit annoyed, in general . . . and I don't blame him.

He's been TOP DOG for over 2 years! Daddy's best (beast) friend, a super-great armpit sleeper! And a ball boy extraordinaire.

I think he's secretly happy she's here, even though she's a bit of a pain.

I wonder if that's how my brother felt about me.

I didn't really get my brother or connect with him until we were in college. We went to the same university--the U of MN--and he was a Lodger and I was a DG. We started school the same time even though he was a year older, because he went to Amsterdam for "grade 13" after he was heartbroken because he couldn't go to Carleton College. My parents couldn't afford it, and they made too much money for him to get scholarship money. But that's another story.

My point is, we don't really appreciate what is right in front of us, because we aren't present. We are planning the future, regretting the past, or hating on all the $#!t that we don't appreciate about life in general. We are generally numb, I believe, and I'm not excusing myself from it, either. 

I hope my kids, Max and Chloe, love each other as much as my brother and me did. They really don't even want to be in the same house right now, sadly.

They are really different from each other, and they don't see that as a cool thing. 

My brother and I were really different, too.

I didn't even get how much he meant to me, until my brother, Chris, died. How freakin' obvious is that? (You don't realize what you've got until it's gone . . .)

Sometimes, I feel like he dies every damn day like a throat-closing, choke, cry feeling. 

He was my best friend.

I hope Lulu and Ted are best friends. I think it's meant to be. ;)

SaViNg SpiDerS . . .

(re) Arrival of Spider

05.28.17.

I've always had a sort of kinship with spiders. I grew up with a dad who used to help me understand the connections in Nature, and he used to capture spiders with coffee cups in the house and release them outside to their freedom (but not really in the winter . . . too cold). 

Killing a spider in our house was a no-no, partly because we grew up on a lake with tons of mosquitoes, and rumor had it that the spiders caught the naughty creatures and ate them. Interestingly enough, while it was completely acceptable in our household to swat mosquitoes to their death, spiders held a special position in the big scheme of life.

Although I didn't recognize totems in my younger years, I absolutely do now--and today, spider arrived for me. Here's the story:

*  *  *  *  *

My amazing husband and I are at the lake (without kids) this weekend, and I lo-o-o-o-ve to cook! So, I was making an amazing lunch today of chicken tacos with mango salsa, shredded coleslaw and broccoli salad, and fruit-infused detox water.

I dropped Keith off for an appointment and began to make our yummiliscous lunch. I checked the chicken, and I encountered a daddy long legs repelling down his string from our new oven/countertop hood. He was heading right for the hot pan of chicken (I don't think spiders like chicken, but one never knows . . .). I scooped him up and took him outside, and tried to rest him in the grass, but he kept crawling back on me. I remembered my dad taking spiders out in coffee cups and I thought, "Tree, apple; apple, tree."

And then I became open to the message in a curious way--and began to write this blog. 

Sometimes animals serve as totems--- Webster's defines a totem as: "A natural object, usually an animal that serves as a distinctive, often venerated  [respected]  emblem or symbol, usually a means of personal or spiritual identity." So, when a special animal appears to me, I  pay attention and try to figure out the animal's message for me.

Here's what I know bout Spider from SpiritAnimal.com:

A spider is a remarkable figure of feminine energy and creativity in the spirit animal kingdom. Spiders are characterized by the skilled weaving of intricate webs and patience in awaiting their prey. By affinity with the spider spirit animal, you may have qualities of high receptivity and creativity. Having the spider as a power animal or totem helps you tune into life’s ebbs and flows and ingeniously weave every step of your destiny.

---

Spider spirit animal: Symbol of creativity & patience:

In many cultures, the spider is given credit for its ability to weave intricate webs that are a miracle of organic engineering. If you have the spider as an animal spirit guide, you may have an affinity with acts of creation and the ability to create delicate, intricate things or ideas that are also strong.

Like the spider waiting for her prey patiently, the presence of this spirit animal in your life could point to the need to show patience regarding a project or some ideas that you are trying to realize. Giving some time while paying attention to how events are unfolding and acting when the opportunity truly arise might be a lesson of wisdom from the spider spirit animal.

Thanks for your arrival, Spider! Good reminder!

Pets are Presence & (presents) !

SoulPancake: Pet Teachers

WoOf WoOf! 

Barkie, bark, and BaRk and barK!  (you speak dog, so you know what I mean . . . )

So back to the dOg (GOD) thing. Dogs have a lot to teach us.

DoGs (Gods) like I said before, . . . are pReSent. Like, they are right there with you in the MoMeNt, like,...hElLo dog, wag, WaG, lIck, liCk, LiCk . . .

When I was hangin' with Teddy, it reminded me of what it's like to be in the moment, or be PRESEnt. When a dog is snuggling us or licking our lips there is no yesterday, and no tomorrow. Dogs live in DOG time, which is in the now . . . no regrets about where they took their last poo, and no worries about what tree is their next potty victim...when you are with a dog, time slips away (which is why a dog is (wo)man's BesteSt (beastest) friend, right?

Thanks, Teddy, for the reminder . . . (cuz that's the kind of friend I want to be, too . . .). I want to be PRESENT to the people I love, and I want to pAy attend-tion to my friends and family folk. (note: attention has the word "tend" in it, which means to nurture, like, as in a garden . . . we nurture plants cuz we want them to grow and thrive, right?)

Which leads me to the NeXt thing. . . aNiMaLs. . . and (LEAP) nature (more about that later . . .).  Animals teach go(o)d lessons from Go(o)d; watch this video from SoulPancake, about the presen(t)s of pets!

Your pets love you soOoOoOOsoO  mUcH...

and you don't have to do anything to earn it, so cool!

Unconditional LoVe feels amazing !#$!

Love and more LoVe!

;) dana

Hugs are the Best Therapy!

"Hugs are the Best Therapy"

05.23.17.

This video literally made my day!

You for sure now that I believe in the POW-POW-POWER of animals and nature. Touch is so very healing, and animals can be such healers by being present with us ridiculous head-liscious (made-up word) humans.

Give your pet a hug today!

I'm iN LoVe!

WoOf WoOf! funfreeMe folks!

Barkie, bark, and BaRk and barK!  (you speak dog, so you know what I mean . . . ).

My family and I were so very lucky that Theodore Duncan Curry Bradach III found us two years back. He is the sweetest ever--see above!

We give him baths, and feed him, and take him for walks. He is only a puppy, and he needs attention.

We all know about the dOg (gOd) thing. Dogs have a lot to teach us. DoGs (Gods) . . . are pReSent. 

Like, they are right there with you in the MoMeNt, like, . . . hElLo dog: wag, WaG, lIck, liCk, LiCk . . .

When we hang with Teddy, we have to be in the moment, or be PRESEnt.

When a dog is snuggling us or licking our lips, there is no yesterday, and no tomorrow (and it doesn't matter who is president, btw). 

Dogs live in DOG time, which is now . . . 

No regrets about where they took their last poo, no worries about what tree is their next potty victim . . . when you are with a dog, time slips away

(which is why a dog is (wo)man's BesteSt (beastest) friend, right?

Thanks, Teddy, for the reminder . . . (cuz that's the kind of friend I want to be, too . . .). 

I want to be PRESENT to the people I love, and I want to pAy attend-tion to my friends and family folk.

(note: attention has the word "tend" in it, which means to nurture, like, as in a garden . . . we nurture plants 'cuz we want them to grow and thrive, right? same with relationships, as far as I can figure . . . )

DOG is GOD spelled backwards:sdrawkcab!

Pick Me!!!!

Teddy (2 years ago)

05.21.17.

My daughter and I watched A Dog's Purpose yesterday--what an amazing movie! I am so so lucky that Teddy, our yummy Cavapoo, found us online two years ago.

So, what's the deal? What is it about DOGs that makes them (wo)man's best friend? And, do you find the fact that DOG is GOD spelled backwards a coincidence? 

Well, you already know how I feel about that . . .

We humans can learn a lot from DOGs; here are some reasons why I believe DOGliness is next to GODliness:

• Life is simple for dogs: eat, play, sleep, pee, and poop. No drama, whatsoever. Wouldn't it be great if we could live like that?
• Dogs are present, like, as in, they live in the moment. Have you ever seen a dog with regrets? Or worry about where to take the next nap? No way!
• Dogs follow their instincts. Like, when a dog is tired, it just goes to sleep . . . doesn't matter where---car, sidewalk, lap (more about laps later . . .). And, if a dog gets a bad vibe from a person or another dog. . . it barks! 
• Dogs are forgiving. I don't know about you, but I've never witnessed a dog who holds a grudge. When something happens, a dog just moves on to the next thing!
• Dogs are loyal. They have your back. They will protect you and stand by you. Have you ever heard of a dog leaving home or breaking up with its owner?
• Dogs listen. (. . .without interrupting you, unless they're giving you little doggy kissies . . .). They will hold space for you while you cry about your stupid breakup or your crappy algebra test . . . (they also understand that your parents don't get it a lot of the time . . . true dat cuz dogs just give you that knowing dog look).
• Dogs accept what is. Dogs aren't haters. They don't care what brand of clothes you're wearing or whether you sit at the cool lunch table. They also don't care what mood you're in or if you have morning breath.
• Dogs love and serve. Dogs are full of gratitude and joy. Basically, a dog's job is to hang out, be present, enjoy life, and receive and give love. In other words,  

 Just be(Love)d! 

What if that's all we have to do, too?

Love and be(Love)d?

What if life is that simple?

Just sayin ' . . . Woof!

trAnsFoRmAtiOn . . . and rE-bIrTh (Happy Easter!)

Metamorphosis is naturally destructive.

~Danielle LaPorte

One summer, a bUtTeRfLy landed on me, and then I kept seeing them over and over. I took this as a sign from the Universe of a newly arrived tOtEm: 

bUtTTerFly! 

Happy Easter!

(also a time of transFORmation, transMUtation, and change . . .)

The butterfly reminds us about biRtH and reBiRtH . . . and also gently whispers to us:

The only constant in

life is

cHaNGe! 

I don't know about you, but when I was a teenager, I sometime felt downright awkward, sluggish, and well, kind of wormISH, in a way (sometimes still feel like this, btw!). If you think about caterpillars, they are kind of the same 

. . . gross and not-so-good looking, perhaps?

Can you believe that yucky wormy caterpillars transform themselves into beautiful and amazing butterflies?

Do you think caterpillars realize their existence

in the dirt with the other worms and bugs is actually

preparing them for their 

most miraculous life 

above the ground in free flight?

Can you imagine the view--

the difference in perspective?!

(gOoSeBuMp alert!)

What if yoUr existence now--with all the good stuff and the yucky crap, too, is doing the same:

preparing you for yoUr

most miraculous life

above the ground in free flight?

Here's a reveal of a 

butterfly's

first emergence

(nice outfit!)

If you've ever watched a caterpillar spin a cocoon and emerge as a butterfly,

 you may have noticed a couple of things:

the process of

transformation

takes 

t . . . i . . . m . . . e

and

trUst

that

nAtUrE

knows what she's doing!

When you were born, just like any other creature, you had to trust that when you arrived, you would be caught and cared for, right?

Guess what?

You are still caught and cared for, . . . even if it may not be showing up the way you want.

Love it all,

Dana

EMERGE!

Happy Sunday All!

Since it's been the holiday season, transformation and redemption is on my mind. Also, just so you know, I feel very drawn to forgiveness during this season. I've been writing a lot about cocoons in the past couple of days, and the butterfly reminds us about biRtH and reBiRtH and also gently whispers to us:

The only constant in 

life is 

cHaNGe! 

Sometimes in my life, I have felt downright awkward, sluggish, and well, kind of wormISH, in a way. If I think about caterpillars, they are kind of the same . . . gross and not-so-good looking, perhaps? Can you believe that yucky wormy caterpillars transform themselves into beautiful and amazing butterflies?

DO you think caterpillars realize their existence in the dirt with the other worms and bugs is actually preparing them for their most miraculous life above the ground in free flight? Can you imagine the view--the difference in perspective?! (gOoSeBuMp alert!)

What if yoUr existence now--with all the fab stuff and the yucky crap, too, is doing the same: preparing you for yoUr most miraculous life above the ground in free flight?

Here's a reveal of a butterfly's

first emergence

(nice outfit!)

If you've ever watched a caterpillar spin a cocoon and emerge as a butterfly you may have noticed a couple of things: the process of transformation takes time; and trUst that nAtUrE knows what it's doing!

Sweet dreams!

lOve,

Dana

iMaGinE iT aLL . . .!

trUst in bUtTerFlieS!

hEy aLL-

Have you ever had an animal friend keep showing up for you over and over until it gets your attention!?  Interesting (and no co-InKY-dInK) that bUttErFLieS have been showing up for me again lately.

Sometimes animals can be called totems--- Webster's Dictionary defines a totem as: "A natural object, usually an animal that serves as a distinctive, often venerated [respected] emblem or symbol, usually a means of personal or spiritual identity." 

The butterfly is a symbol of transformation and change (yiKEs! cHaNGe scary!@$@!@#$# but not really . . . remember the You-niverse catcHes uS?) 

The butterfly is also a totem of trUst . . . in yoUr gUt and yoUr heart and the butterfly reminds us that we have the ability to transform in our lives; in other words, we get to change the crappy stuff that doesn't work for us anymore--like relationships, behaviors, patterns, and stories that no longer serve us and become something from our most amazing possibility and iMagInatioN! 

go(o)D news: WE GET TO CHOOSE! Will you answer the most important cALL? yOUr own? hOneStlY. . . I may have put mySelf on CaLL WaItinG for quiTe awhile waiting for mY tImE! I jUsT wasn't ready!

WAKE UP CALL: 

The only thing in life that is constant is cHaNGe! 

(English teacher need to note iRoNy, here).

and

TraNsfOrMaTiOn

takes time

and

 trUst

that nAtUre

KnOws WhaT it'S

dOing.

Anyway--we are all butterflies. Find your flight pattern!

Hearts!

dana

TwEEt twEET . . .

We fear to trust our wings.

We plume and feather them,

but dare not throw our weight upon them.

We cling too often to the perch.

--Charles B. Newcomb

Even before it has learned to fly; a baby bird is pushed from its nest.

It will totter upon the ground, stubby wings outstretched from its body,

following the guiding cries of its parents to flap its wings and take flight.

When we were young, our wings hadn't even developed

before we began tottering through life.

We may have received little direction about how to fly.

As we grew, we may have built a nest and retreated within it,

still not knowing how to fly.

Although our wings have not been used, we can still learn to fly.

There are those who can teach us . . . 

They, too, have had to learn to fly after years of nest sitting.

It isn't easy at first. In fact, it may be quite painful and tiring.

But by trying out our wings every day, they will grow stronger and more familiar to us.

Our nest will always be there, but we won't have to visit it as often.

We'll be too busy flying and testing our wings.

I can begin to learn the freedom of flight and trust my wings.

~Night Light by Amy E. Dean

hELLo dEaR oNes-

When I read the passage above about birds, I was reminded that we all try to fly in our own ways with the best of what we've got--but all birds are different, and they each learn to fly--in their own unique amazing and sometimes awkward birdlike manners! 

I'm beginning to understand that whenever I try to fly, I am also doing my best--even though it might be pretty darn clunky and uncoordinated at times.

Flying can be anything--trying a new behavior, practicing acceptance, communicating effectively, setting boundaries, creating intentions, or letting go and just trusting in the Universe.

I'm learning how to be kind and gentle to myself, and take baby steps as I leave my nest . . . and know there are others to guide and support me as I take flight. I am also reminded to offer the same courtesy to others as they try out their wings.

We each have our own journeys and unique destinations--I think I'll focus mostly on my own . . .

Tweet Tweet! (peacock for "lots of love")--

DaNa

pEaCe on EaRtH, and iN yOu . . .

hAPpY DaY ffpps!
   The last few days have been thinking a lot about peAce, and how to calm ourselves  and become present enough to get quiet and clear . . . so we can JuSt Be . . .

We can get quiet and get present in a lot of ways . . . I think I've described meditating (below is a turtle meditation about getting quiet within yourself . . . like a turtle goes into it's shell!:)  

Sometimes, going inside (like a turtle) is so necessary . . . either to protect yourself  from people or situations with gross, icky energy; just to check in with yourself to refuel and get your "stuff" back together; to calm down; or to just rest. Isn't it nice to know that you can do this FOR YOURSELF whenever you want? Whew! and YAY!

I totally believe in breathing deeply, laughing, doing your passion, and spending time with children and pets! There are many ways to experience peace (and it ain't outSIDe of yOu!); PEACE is an INside job! 

Sometimes going out into nature is the best remedy for finding peace; when I want peace, I can go for a walk, look at the trees, smell the flowers, and feel the wind. 

Take a few minutes today to find a little piece of peace . . . 

Have an amazing, fun-filled day (and liFe!)...

pEaCe iN!

;) dana

U R gEniUs . . . aT bEiNg U!

Everybody is a genius; 

but if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree,

it will live its whole life believing it is stupid.

~Albert Einstein

Dear Fun & Free Peeps!

Have you ever seen a school of fish swimming together? One thing that amazes me about fish is that when they swim in  a school, they work as a group--and they don't even touch each other or run into other fish! Check out this vid!

It's almost like they operate as one unified body, isn't it? How do they do that? I'm not a biology person, but there's something very natural about how these beautiful creatures operate as a school. I think it might be in their genes that they are naturally aware of other fish around them and gauge their speed and movement accordingly. I've also read that fish travel in a group because they are more protected, and they swim so close together so that from afar some predators view a school of fish as one big creature. I wonder if humans would benefit from a similar, more interconnected way of life. Hmnnnnn . . .

But I digress . . . Einstein's quote above brings me back to the subject of this blog: Each of us is, well, a GENIUS . . . at being uniquely ourselves! Because we humans are one species, we often kind of ASSume that other people should be like us, be good at the same things as we are, or like the similar stuff. I mean, we tend to judge other for not being or feeling or operating like we do, but we would never look at a fish and think, "Man, that fish is totally crappy at walking. That is well, unbelievable!"

Einstein's words are a nice reminder to me that everybody is exactly where they should be, and that my job is to keep my focus on Dana and allow others to be freely themselves; I am on this Earth to be uniquely and supremely myself, as are others. It also reminds me that my judgements are about ME, and are not really about the person I'm judging (and other people's judgements about me are also . . . not about me).

Anyway, when I was a kid, I used to want to be like others, but now I know that it's not even possible and insanely boring! I celebrate the fact that I'm sort of random, I laugh often and hard (and cry, too!), and feel deeply. I find joy in teensy-weensy stuff (like my favorite stickers or a yummy-smelling candle!) and I pay it forward by trying to smile and be kind to everyone I encounter. I have awkward dance moves, and love making faces. It's all good; it's just . . . ME!

What makes you unique? Leave a comment and share your awesomeness with us!

Lots of Love,

;0) Dana