Animals as Medicine for the Soul

Zen moments are sometimes very difficult to find.  During times like these, I find that helping the less fortunate is a productive use of time and energy, and a reminder of how blessed my life is despite some ongoing sorrows.  The most  recent Zen moment I have to report on this subject, happened last Saturday- helping the SPCA during an adoption event at Clearview Mall.  My assigned dog was Jace, a year old pitbull puppy- a sweetheart with a coat like a tiger, and an endless amount of playful energy.  We met so many people that day and made some new friends.  Jace hugged and kissed his way into many hearts, especially mine.  I'm no social butterfly, but taking on the cause of helping this puppy find a home helped me network successfully with complete strangers.  Its not about "you", its about "them".  And the gratitude from this dog was reward in itself.  He sat in my lap and nestled against my heart.  We weren't even an hour into the event when I knew it would be rough having to go separate ways at the end.  And as predicted, by the end of the evening it was very hard to load him in the puppy truck and say goodbye.  Helping Jace out was one of the best weekend evenings I've spent in a long time.  He showed gratitude, affection and love, and I'll be keeping tabs on him to make sure he gets adopted before his time at the shelter is up.

Word of advice to the folks out there: if you have the resources (all it takes is love and basic food/vet bills), adopt a pet.  You'll get your mind off  your worries, even momentarily, taking care of someone less fortunate who will provide instant gratitude.  If you can't change your lifestyle to adopt a pet, then consider volunteering at your local animal shelter- the folks there are grateful for whatever you can contribute and you can make your own schedule, whether its an hour a day or one per week or even one per month- no amount is too small.  The cats and dogs are grateful for any bit of time and attention you can bring them. And the love you will get in return will stay with you and enrich your life.

Tea Time

Happiness is tea time- a good book- and lovely company.  This is a shot of a long-ago summer with Beau, who was only a pup at the time.  Tea time is both medicinal and good for the soul.  It gives us a moment in time to unwind from the day's events and chaos.  It is my go-to place for serenity.

Thought of the Day- Procrastination

"For a long time it had seemed to me that life was about to begin - real life.  But there was always some obstacle in the way.  Something to be got through first, some unfinished business, time still to be served, a debt to be paid.  Then life would begin.  At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life."  ~Fr. Alfred D'Souza

There is no "perfect time" to begin.  I think a lot of us fall into that trap of perfectionism, and fall prey to the teachings of its cousin, procrastination.  All the stars have to be aligned, all the variables equal across the board, before we give ourselves permission to begin to live. If all is not "just right" something dire will happen. Or so we lead ourselves to believe.  We will not allow ourselves to go on blind faith, and underlying these notions is the gripping fear of failure.  We have to disable that notion and take hold of our sense of adventure.  Stop overthinking your every move- this is not a chess game.  Its a game of "Start or Wither".  Stop building walls to climb and obstacles at every corner.  Embrace life in all its glory and all its faults and "please to begin".  Walk into the water barefoot to feel the gritty ground beneath your feet- it may be your last chance, before an oil spill, or an earthquake, or a rapture, takes away the moment.  Use all five senses or they will go to waste.  Get your toes muddy with the sand and the tides.  Jump in headfirst, or risk never having swum the currents of life. 

Slice of Rainbow

The Beginning

Welcome to my blog. This is my first zen entry- a focus on the positive things in my world.  I wrote a prayer for my loved ones this evening- long overdue and something that I'm not in the habit of doing- then took my dog Beau out to the backyard to stretch his legs as the evening wandered into sunset. Once there, I discovered a rainbow, its fading tapestry of pastels stretched out across the evening sky. Birds were perched on telephone wires before it. Rainbow without the rain- a rarity. My first Zen moment of the day. I ran inside to grab my camera, and fired off a few shots. Will post them here later.


I found something that had been lost, buried under resentment and grief and pain- forgiveness. The kind that creeps up on you when you aren't looking for it and makes you realize that this life is short, this journey measured in mortal steps that are fleeting and few. You can let the pain eat at your guts and haunt your soul and form a cancer in your memories of loved ones- or you can make up your mind to put the pain to rest, wipe the ugliness from your soul and give a requiem to the death of it all. Then move on. Not free from what has happened- but free to put it behind you and not let it run interference with what will be. By not allowing the pain to hurt you or change you, you become stronger than the evil. You conquer and come out victorious. You battle and come out scarred yet triumphant.


Today it was easy to be thankful- it was a blessing to have a day free from responsibilities (except for tending the home fires). Reading. Music streaming. Cooking red beans and rice with cornbread- all Southern standbys. Clean laundry and a hot plate of food to end the day. A summer day with my dog and ribbons of time on my hands. Time to reflect and dream. And that half-faded rainbow at the end of an evening free of rain.


Wishing everyone an evening of serenity, forgiveness and tranquility.