I could have named this post, “What a Difference a Deer Makes” since it is the appearance of two deer in the corner of my yard that spurred me to finally write on this topic. Following the recent passing of the one-year anniversaries of launching this site and graduating from the Integrative Health & Healing master’s degree program, I have been thinking about how amazing it is that in just a year’s time everything can change dramatically.
Better and Better Every Day
I remember a year seemed like an eternity when I was a kid. The 365-day stretch from birthday to birthday couldn’t whirl by fast enough. In contrast, as an adult I find myself wishing that time would slow down so I can catch my breath. The daily flow of new lessons, relationships, opportunities, and challenges can be exhausting! And, in the midst of all these day-to-day changes the trifecta of health – mind, body, and spirit – are always hanging in a delicate balance. When you’re living with autoimmune disease, this balance is essential. As a result, lately I have been clinging to the things in life that are amazing blessings – stable health, friendships, family, work opportunities, creative outlets. I don’t want the good things to change, and I really don’t want to accept the negative things that have already changed. In short, I’ve been stuck! Yet, somehow today something has shifted, and I am prompted to recite a mantra that my friend Eileen taught me, “Every day and in every way I am better and better.” This reminds me that things can always improve and the challenges that come my way are necessary to propel me forward.
New Deer Do Appear
Noticing the two adult deer poised in the corner of my yard has certainly acted as a propelling force in enabling me to finally write after an especially long creative slump. What strikes me about their presence is that they are nearly identical to the sweet baby deer that appeared as I was writing last August’s post “It Begins With You.” However, these new deer are clearly more seasoned than the little guy that cowered under the cherry tree last year afraid to move forward. They boldly stepped out into the sun grazing on the grass. Although they could sense I was taking photos of them from my office window, they also recognized that they were safe. I couldn’t help but wonder if the mere fact that they were together made them feel more confident on their journey. Personally, that imagery resonates strongly as I met a new friend recently in the most divinely synchronistic way. That friend has dedicated his life to helping heal children with cancer. As you might expect with a mission like that he has learned a thing or two about how to embrace life fully when things change on a dime, as they do when a child is diagnosed with cancer. Yesterday he reminded me that while many of us wish for time to slow down, or for a clear road map to appear for the ongoing twists and turns of life, if we had those circumstances we would concede both our power and our drive to evolve. So as I ponder my new deer friends, I realize I must embrace change and step bravely into the sun.
How about you, are you ready to embrace change?
I am accepting that just because my last year was a dud, that I can still hope for more. The path to betterment isn’t going to be the one I had initially chosen, but I can still try. This will be my mantra: I can still try my best.
<3 your journey and I'm thankful you're willing to share it with us all.
Chelle – One thing I keep finding is that the “duds” tend to be catalysts to much bigger and better experiences than we could have ever imagined. I am certain that is true for you and that every day you (and your family) get better and better. Thanks for always walking with me on my often wild journey.