Turtle power

It was so beautiful this morning that it was almost a little scary.  I seldom find myself so in awe of things when I walk.  I am not a walker!  I love to ride my bicycle, but walking always seems rather slow to me.

When I was younger I belonged to a group of people who talked about things like power animals.  The idea was that each of us has an animal there to teach us something.  I always wanted to believe mine was a tall brown bear that stood behind me.  It was a pretty valid thought since I dreamed of him all the time, but I always dreamed of a huge turtle too.  The turtle came to carry me on his back and show me things.

Most of the people in the group felt that they were like their power animals in some way.  I tried very hard to see myself in either the bear or the turtle, but I am pretty sure I was much more like the rabbit.  Timid, afraid of so many things, I really do freeze when terrified.   Then when I do move, it is with short bursts of energy, which is why I was a pretty good tennis player.  I did dream I was a rabbit once, trapped in a tiny cage in a back yard.

I suspect the bear was there to teach me to stand up for myself and be brave, but the turtle has had a much larger impact on my life.  One day I realized that I had quite a collection of turtle experiences and turtle knick-knacks in my life without ever intending to have either.  Honestly, there wasn’t much about turtles that spoke to me.

Until later on.  Now I realize that I am beginning to embrace turtle being!  It’s that old quiet stick to it way of responding that serves me well.  I’m not good at doing things your way, or their way, or anyone’s way except mine, but if I am allowed to do that, I can do almost anything.

I’ve learned that honey attracts a lot of ants and hopping to it makes me feel frenetic, but to simply keep on going?  That seems to work for me!  And if I keep my home simple, I can always take it with me.

Now if I can just learn to see the beauty each day like I did today, this long slow journey is gonna be awesome.  And if I can’t?  Then I still have lots to learn and that’s kind of awesome too.