Expanding Gratitude

Written by BB Harding, one of the Women Moving It Forward

Shortly before Thanksgiving, I woke up one morning and had the thought “How would my life be different if I focused on wanting what I have rather than having what I want?”  Ok, my first thought was well, that doesn’t make sense.  What does a person use to “incentivize” themselves if they don’t have something that they want?  How does one better themselves if they are willing to stick with what they have?  What about those who really have a lousy life – how do they put that thought to work for themselves?

Every cloud has a silver lining.  How many times have you heard that?

I easily came to realize that “wanting what you have” is akin to “being grateful for what you have.”  It has been said that gratitude is one of the greatest things that you can have.  How many famous people have you heard talk about the power of gratitude?  How many have linked happiness to gratitude; success to gratitude; health to gratitude?  How many trainers and spiritual teachers espouse journaling each night before going to bed on 3-5 things for which you are grateful that day?

I took this thought with me throughout the days that followed.  I spent time reflecting on things in my life (what I have) and looking at the level of want for those things.  Since it was already there, it wasn’t something that I spent time wanting, in fact I gave very little thought about having it.  It just was.  And, it wasn’t anything where I was particularly appreciative for the fact that I did have it.  Again, it just was.

Another aspect was if I did have gratitude/appreciation how deep and wide was that feeling?  Here is what I mean by that.  One thing I totally love is a hot shower.  I nearly always thank the warm water as it courses over me for how good it feels; how nurtured I feel as it does so.  How much gratitude have I ever given to the infrastructure and people who have made running hot water in my home possible?  Going that one step further begins to expand the gratitude that I experience.

It can then become easy to slip into thinking about the breadth and depth in other areas.  How about food – am I grateful to the fruits, vegetables, meats, grains that end up on my plate?  How about the farmers/growers, transportation, markets, banks, appliances that have all played a hand in having food show up on my table for consumption?

I come to realize just how unconscious I have become to the things that have shown up in my life and how they got there.  All with very little appreciation for the “effort” that it took to get there.  At a higher level, very little appreciation for how I am able to energetically organize my world so that they are consistently there.  How often does a person honor themselves as a powerful being?  I know I seldom do.

My reflections on “having what I wanted” took me down the road of enquiring “who is it that wants” and “why is it that it is wanted?”  What need is wanting to be fulfilled?  Why is that need there?  An example might be “I want a cookie.”  The “why” I want a cookie might include things like I’m bored, I want a distraction; I want something sweet in my life; I feel like something is missing and want to fill it; I’m feeling frightened, and as a kid, having a cookie was a sign that “all was well.”  Another want might be a new flashy car.  The “why” might be because I want to feel the sense of freedom that comes from having the wind in my hair; I want to be the envy of all of my friends; I have something to prove; I am trying to create a sense of value in my peer group; I want to make an impression on people when they see me in my new car; I want to exude success, especially when underneath I’m not certain about whom I am.  I begin to determine that wanting things that I don’t have is more wrapped up around “lack consciousness” than “abundance consciousness” – I lack something – rather than I am filled with joy at having something.

In my Human Design studies, Karen (Curry Parker) has shared that part of the manifestation process is to be signaling the universe that “this feels good, more please.”  This then allows the magnetic monopole to attract those types of experiences to me.  If I don’t like what is going on, then I can “tweak the request.”

I am seeing more and more, that to appreciate what I have, to expand my level of gratitude can be a life altering event not only for me, as an individual, it can set a new frequency for the community and planet.  Being fully engaged with what is present.  Bringing all that is present into harmony.

I went searching for a few quotes and here are three I want to share.  Each has an aspect of my own conclusions for “wanting what I have rather than focusing on having what I want.”

Oprah Winfrey:  Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough.

Robert Holden:  The real gift of gratitude is that the more grateful you are, the more present you become.

Kristin Armstrong:  When we focus on our gratitude, the tide of disappointment goes out and the tide of love rushes in.

In this season, I invite you to find the things in your life that you are grateful for, and then be grateful for all that has been organized in the universe to bring it to you.

 

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The Little Pony With the Messy Mane

Tags

Animals, Horses

Once upon a time, there was a pony named Emma. She was a Fell Pony, and as such, not tiny. When she was full grown, she would be big enough for a light adult to ride her.

Emma was only two, which means she was full of herself, and had opinions about everything. One day, her opinion, which said “I go through this door FIRST”, and the opinion of another, larger horse, collided. They both had the same opinion about who was going to go through the door first. Unfortunately, they both didn’t fit, and Emma lost that discussion. She also cracked her elbow and her scapula on the door jamb, and things were bleak for a while.

She couldn’t put any weight on her leg. She hobbled around like a tripod, and looked miserable. The vet came out and took x-rays. Uh oh. Stall time for Emma, and maybe, just maybe, she’d get well enough to be a beautiful pasture ornament for the rest of her life.

Fortunately for us all, Emma was wise beyond her years and took very good care of that leg. In only a few days, with the help of some horsey pain killers, she was starting to put weight back on it. She stayed quiet in her stall, ate hay, and chewed on wood. Her good friend Declan, another large pony-sized equine, stayed in the barn with her and kept her company. Emma was very grateful to Declan for making that sacrifice.

Emma’s mom thought it would be nice to braid Emma’s very substantial mane into braids, because it was quite warm in the barn and it would help keep Emma cool. So she did. Emma was not impressed, especially with her forelock braid.

“Why do I have to have my forelock braided,” she fretted, and rubbed her head against the side of the stall. It’s itchy. It goes sideways. It’s got YELLOW TWINE in it, for crying out loud. I look like a hussy instead of a cute pony.”

Emma rubbed and rubbed. The braid became more and more messy. At last, success! Her forelock was once again free!

Emma on the left, Declan on the right, freed at last from the barn.

After braiding it three times and having it rubbed out, Emma’s mom gave up. If Emma wanted her forelock loose that badly, so be it.

Emma worked on the rest of the braids. It gave her something to do while she was confined to the stall. Got them all out, too.

She continued to heal. After 8 long weeks, she and Declan got to go back outside. Now she’s once again free, eating green grass, and running. Braid free.

 

Giving Common Thanks

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Written by Carroll a member of Women Move it Forward Blog

I do my best to feel gratitude at all times. Thanksgiving is special here because it focuses on the feel of gratitude. This year we had a great feast and company on Thanksgiving. And we focused on how wonderful the food tasted; how easy it was to cook, and all the great friendships we have including the spirits in the Tribe of Tribes on the property.

In the middle of Black Friday night I experienced a whole new level of giving thanks. How many things are taken for granted day-to-day, moment-to-moment? The things that make our life quality. Around 10:30 at night a loud beep woke my husband and I. It was the carbon monoxide detector come on and off a couple of times. The electricity to the entire house flickered and then went off leaving us in complete darkness.

We did the usual things – check to see if the neighbor’s lights were off (indicating it was a widespread outage not just something at our house), get a flashlight, and go to set up the generator.

OUCH, we realized that our generator was out in the barn. When I looked outside it was a white-out blizzard. And I admit my emotions dipped. The thought of bundling up for 15-degree weather, going outside, getting in the car, driving to the barn, opening gates which are probably frozen from ice, lifting the generator into the car, bringing it back and setting it up on the porch with all the snow and wind just did not sound like a good time.

And then my husband said “Let’s wait and see if they get it back on” and I agreed to wait for an hour. My 94-year-old grandmother lives with us and would not fare well if the house became cold. So we waited, half hour later the electricity flashed on for second and then went off again.

At that point I really focused on giving thanks for the person who was troubleshooting this issue where ever they maybe. And I started focusing on finding the benefit of this event! I truly enjoyed the darkness, and the lack of any kind of radio waves from all the devices which are “necessary” nowadays. I enjoyed being cozy under a big blanket. I gave thanks for the person who was in the process of returning electricity to us.

That electricity supplies not only our heat and our light but also our water from the well. All the things taken for granted just in the course of the day.

At 55 minutes after the electricity went out, it came back on. Gratitude for listening to my husband! The relief and gratitude of not having to go to the barn was immense. The gratitude for those people working at the electric power plant or on the line was very deeply heartfelt. And as we started the pellet stove, gratitude for heat, light and comfort was almost overwhelming.

How often do you give gratitude for electricity, water and sewer?

I am reminded of the saying “big things are made out of lots of little things…” I invite you look around you every day with gratitude for the little things like a functioning outlet or faucet…

What in the World…..?

Tags

animal communication, Animals, balance, cats, Centered, change, Vision

A post by Ashara Morris, one of the Women Moving it Forward.

There has been a lot of unhappy things in the news lately, it seems. Our country is becoming Fascist; innocent people are being murdered for no reason other than someone doesn’t like their religious beliefs, or the color of their skin, or one of a hundred other “reasons”; animals are being thrown out of the windows of cars, or left to die on a road, or in a backyard.

All my life I’ve loved animals. I’ve always felt that people, for the most part, can take care of themselves, and if they can’t, they should be cared for. There are millions of caring, loving people out there who do their best for the humans who cannot help themselves. But the animals have no voice that most are willing to listen to – because if they did, they would be humbled. The animals don’t have much in the way of rights, either, but that’s another blog.

Let’s talk about hearing those animal voices, and how thoughtless some humans are to those species who can’t say out loud, “No matter what, I love you.”

I saw a post on Facebook the other day about a kitten who was thrown out of the window of a car. This happened in the county and state in which I live, and I have never been so saddened by an event. Tossed away like a piece of garbage. Discarded.

A LIFE.

What must those people think of themselves? How fearful they must be that they are so without value that it’s okay to devalue another life, and as a result feel better about themselves. I can tell myself that all day, and I mostly have compassion for those people who would throw a kitten, a living being, away like a piece of trash. Compassion is winning out over other, baser instincts – the part of me that wants to rip them to shreds, to toss them out a window and see how they feel. But what good would that do? It only serves to escalate the anger, the fear, the discombobulation we are all feeling during this time of great transition. Staying centered and trusting the Universe is paramount.

So I meditate. I pray. I let go of the anger, and I send those people, and all humans for that matter, Love and Light and the hope that some day they may listen to those small voices, who love us so much that they allow themselves to be tossed out of a car window to get our attention. Those small voices, those lives, and the lives of all the humans sacrificed, saying “Wake up! Wake up! Do you really want to go down this path again? Love one another. See yourself in me, a small furred creature, or a human with another color face. We are all the same. We are all part of God. Wake up!”

p.s. The kitten, for those who are wondering, was rescued, doctored, and has found a loving home.

p.p.s Happy birthday today to my mom, who would be 93 if she were still on the planet. She loved all animals, too, especially dogs and cats.

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Ashara Morris is an Animal Communicator and Certified Equine Gestalt Coach who loves all things furred, feathered, scaled, or whatever. She is President and CEO of Harmony’s Heart, LLC, home of Harmony’s Heart Coaching, Harmony’s Heart Animals, and The WindRider Project. Find out more about her and the work being done at Harmony’s Heart at www.harmonysheartanimals.com, www.harmonysheartcoaching.com, or www.thewindriderproject.com.

Friendship

“He who returns from a journey is not the same as he who left”.

Summer has come to end. The heat and rain of 2018 will be long remembered, but most memorable will be my 2680 mile road trip. As I mentioned in my previous blog I did not go to any exotic location. My trip was charted by destiny. It started with me placing pins on a map of where old friends, horses I knew and relatives still lived throughout the eastern US. It also included seeing old homes, special roads or views that I loved.  I learned that my bones take a bit longer to straighten out after being in a car for any length of time, but my eyes were just as bright exploring new roads and re-experiencing old trails.

The last part of my trip took me to SW Pennsylvania. The scenery; hills of green, winding rivers and forest so lush and thick they were intoxicating, brought me back home.   I visited my old work place and got caught up with my co-harts.  I rode horses down familiar trails and even went to visit my old homestead(s). It was nostalgic and a bit sad, but clearly evident to me that the home and land was no longer part of whom I was.

But one thing, above all stood out to me on this trip. One evening my girlfriend got all the other ladies together that I knew.  When I lived there I was part of a monthly “horsey girl night out” where we shared stories about our horses, training we learned about or brought a video or two to discuss. I loved this group of women but really didn’t imagine I’d be able to see so many of them during my stay. When I walked in, I briefly looked around and took note of their changes and then there I was. Again, smack in the middle of stories, laughter, crying and hugs. I had to pinch myself to remind myself that I was no longer a regular part of this group.

What made this group just like going home to family? I quickly realized that it was not necessarily the monthly get togethers that bonded us, but really quite more.  We all had been there for each other through snow storms, loss of electricity, helped each other with sick or injured horses, rode the hills together, vacationed with our horses together, lifted each one up when a job was lost, a child became sick or a family memeber died.  We loved each other just as much for our faults and as our virtues. We had seen the worse of each other, the quirky sides and even the best from time to time. Is this what binds a family, a group, a village or nation I mused about during those 2 1/2 weeks on the road?

For me, growing up in a military family and moving often, I used to believe that the wonderful places I experienced overshadowed the many, many friendships I made. I was wrong. Here was a group of strong, independent women that became my family for only 12 years and yet when we met again after 5 years, we were as connected as ever! Most other people, I suspect know and understand the value of friendship and may not even questioned or think much about it. But for me the profound ability to reconnect and not be the one looking from the outside in (as was my regular pattern) was amazing and something I will cherish always.

To friendship!

Barbara is the owner and president of Wayfinding with Horses, Inc.  She is trained in the Equine Gestalt Coaching Method, a retired Professional Engineer and Qi Gong Instructor but mostly she is a woman passionate about horses, their wellbeing and their gift of being present. The horses help her clients to trust their true nature and lead from the heart.  Clients often report a heightened awareness of their surroundings and others while experiencing a deeper, more profound understanding of their relationships and connection to others.  Barbara lives at Wayfinding Farm, located near Ocala Florida.

Awesome Pie!

 

Photo credit: https://www.piesareawesome.com/

Written by Carroll a member of Women Move It Forward Blog

Have you ever had a conversation with someone where they were so passionate and positive about their topic that you could not help getting the feeling I want some of that? I have and then re-counting the conversation to someone else with equal passion the words just came to my mouth: “I want some of that awesome pie!”

I recently have been thinking about that situation and how great it felt. And it got me to wondering, why is it when a person speaks to me about an event it actually comes to life? Whereas looking at a website or Facebook post or any other visual media provides a rather bla experience in comparison…

I believe the answer is trust. Even if it is someone I don’t know; if they are so excited about the event that it just bubbles fourth, I trust that the event had value. The feeling is stronger if it is from someone in my circle; people who are like me. People with similar tastes. That is when I really step up and say where can I get a slice of that awesome pie?

I went on a trip to Peru a few years ago to ride horses up through the mountains. I cannot speak the language, yet I jumped at the chance to do this. Why? Because the person setting it up was someone I knew and trusted. I knew they had experience with  the country, and I knew it was a once in a lifetime opportunity. That trip changed my life! It showed me how capable I am, and how much joy can come from trusting. Trusting the horse, the trail, my balance, the Universe, and ultimately myself.

I think an interesting thing about awesome pi is that each slice contains something different. They may all have the same main ingredient, but each slice has additional ingredients not in the others.

I am in the process of learning how to make awesome pies. What does that look like? I start with something incredible that happened in my life, and I start talking about how it felt and what meant to me.  If the person listening provides uninterested feedback, I thank them in my head and save that slice of pie for someone else who is hungry. There is nothing wrong with being full. When someone has awesome pi to share with me, I get my fork out in anticipation.

If I can make a suggestion, I would ask you to create your own recipe for awesome pie… Start with something that moves you, then sprinkle in a little of the surrounding environment, and top it off with what you got out of it…

and then share…

What or Who?

Tags

balance, Centered, change, passion, Self-Care

Posted by Ashara Morris, one of the Women Moving It Forward on this Blog.

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Our society today takes great pride in, and raises up, those who do, do, do. If you’re not doing, you’re not producing, therefore if you’re just “being” you will be passed over or ignored or even denigrated.

I’ve noticed this when meeting people for the first time, and I’m guilty of it as well – we ask “What do you do?” We want to know about what this person does in our workaday world, not necessarily who they are. But which might be the more important question?

What do you do?

or

Who are you?

Photo by Snapwire on Pexels.com

I am fascinated by people, by how they think, how they feel, the opinions they carry. They are a constant source of revelation to me, not only about them, but about myself. If I ask someone “what do you do?” they’re going to tell me about their job, and that’s fine, because certainly it’s part of who they are, and if they love their work, that will be a good indicator of who they might be. But the question “Who are you?” is much more interesting to me. And, I think, also scary for the person being asked.

We live with a lot of masks in place. Even the most authentic person has to sometimes remove the “I’m being authentic” mask to be who they REALLY are. It’s an amazing dance. So we have to learn about people in kind of a sideways fashion – mostly by starting with “What do you do?”

I’m sure those of you reading this know what you do. But who are you? Are you sensitive? Are you afraid of the dark? (I always leave a light on when I’m home alone over night, even though we have four dogs to help me stay safe.) Do you think everyone is out to get you? Or maybe just a few people? Do we live in a friendly or unfriendly world? How do you relax? Do you like to read? Do you draw? Do you enjoy just sitting?

Photo by Ary Shutter on Pexels.com

Favorite TV show? What did you think of school? Did you enjoy it? Or was it painful? And why? What was enjoyable or painful?

Those are just a few of the questions that go through my mind when I’m getting to know someone, and even when talking with old friends, because friendship doesn’t happen in one fell swoop – it is a matter of years, and layers, and the unveiling of some new aspect of a friend is like a gift wrapped in shiny paper and topped off with a beautiful bow – how amazing we all are!

If you want to know more about me, ask me – who are you? And I will tell you. Be prepared though, because I will ask the same of you. I don’t need to know about your job – who are YOU?

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Ashara Morris is sensitive, intuitive, and laughs a lot. The glass is generally half full. She talks with animals, plants, rocks, her car quite a bit, and sometimes even her favorite green chair. You can find out more about what she DOES at www.harmonysheartcoaching.com and www.harmonysheartanimals.com.

 

 

Stella and Me

Posted by BB Harding, member Women Move It Forward blog.

If you have been reading this blog for a while, you are already aware that I have been looking for a house for approximately 18 months.  I have seen many houses in person (around 70) and countless pictures from the real estate websites.  I have searched New Mexico in Las Vegas, Pecos, Santa Fe, Tijeras, Edgewood, Cedar Crest, Sandia Park, Moriarty, Placitas, Rio Rancho, Los Lunas, Belen, Nogal, Alto, Ruidoso, Tularosa, Alamogordo, and Las Cruces.  (I’m sure I forgot some city or town in that list).  Truthfully, there probably wasn’t much of anywhere that I drove through that I didn’t keep an eye out for something to grab me.

I can say that my house hunting was an adventure, and most definitely a journey.  I started out with a list of items that I thought I wanted, and as I looked at possible locations, the parameters got fine-tuned.  There were some peak learning experiences – I discovered that each episode of looking at houses informed me about what it was that I really wanted.  Learning to allow that to be a learning and discovery experience was significant.  It gave me permission to explore until I found something that I REALLY liked rather than the pressure to “get ‘er done.”  I found I appreciated trees much more than the long view.  That if I had space for my own bedroom, an office and a guest bedroom, I could live with a 2 bedroom and 2 living areas as opposed to a 3 bedroom.  I really needed some space around me.  Places that met the criteria, where I felt like I was being smothered didn’t feel good.

I really discovered that it was ok to be who I was.  I worked with 7 agents throughout the state, and I made it ok to be “weird.”  Just because a house met the criteria didn’t mean that I was going to buy it.  Rule #1, it must feel good inside and outside.  There were several houses that felt good inside, not so good outside; or great outside, not so good inside.  I had many a thought about moving House A onto Property B for the perfect match.  The agents learned that I was really serious about Rule #1.  I know that they shook their heads when I told them things like “the energy is flat;” the house and I don’t gel;” “nice house, I really like it, and it doesn’t feel right.”

A part of me was beginning to despair over ever finding a new home.  Maybe I was too picky, maybe I wasn’t being realistic and should just go for most of what I wanted.  I felt the pressure of having to compromise, settle for less than I wanted; and making a decision to buy anything just to get it off my list of things to do, and move on.

Earlier this year, I drove into an area that was not all that far from where I live to check out a couple of listings that I had seen.  When I drove into the area, I said to myself, “oh, this place has the look and feel of what I am looking for.”  I of course then dismissed it because it didn’t fit the criteria of being near an airport, medical facilities and something like a Whole Foods / Sprouts.

My friend who had rented me her casita sold her house (really traded with some friends) and the new owners were gracious enough to allow me to continue renting the casita.  That was an incredible gift because it relieved the pressure that “I must go do something now.”  We had gone out to breakfast one morning with her housemate, and on the way home, I took them through the area.  Both of them exclaimed how incredible the energy of that area was.  It was near the 4^th of July, so in my normal search for houses I added a query for that area.  Four houses came up to go look at.  I found a realtor, and made arrangements to go look at them right after the holiday.  “Stella” had grabbed my attention because she matched a “vision” that I had had towards the end of last year of a house on the edge of a cliff, acting as a sentinel for the area.  I have operated for several months with the underlying premise of there was a house looking for me as much as I was looking for it.  We just had to find each other.  She was also “out of budget.”  I checked out the 4 houses, and there was an event taking place at Stella where the current owners were having an estate sale.  (They are antiquers).  I was gobsmacked with the view, and went through the house.  Generally, a good feeling.

I had a conversation with the house.  I told the house that it would be really hard for me to get past the incredible view that it had, and really hear what it had to say.  Found out her name was Stella, and that yes, she would be happy if I were to become her new custodian.  I shared my reservations and her wisdom was to come back again when everyone was gone and see if I felt good there or not.  I did that, and yes, I felt good inside and outside.  Beside a lovely view, an awesome deck, she also has a bunch of Russian sage and it is beautiful.  I sat with Stella and the idea of putting in a purchase contract for a couple more days.  Everything still felt like a go, and I was beginning to develop a relationship with Stella that felt easy and comfortable.

I took the leap of faith and put in the contract.  It was accepted with one counteroffer.  Since then, there has been a lot of fun.  There are several things that I have become aware of, some of them almost beyond words.  I am keenly aware that I have said YES to me at a deep level, in many little ways.  One of them is acknowledging that I have a space imperative.  For most of my lifetime, I have pushed it aside, and told myself not to be silly, it wasn’t a necessity to live.  I will now be surrounded by space.  I have made a conscious effort to make the purchase a collaboration between the consciousness of Stella and myself.  I am moving more and more into an aspect of my purpose which is to teach others that there is consciousness in all things.  What better way to live that, than to include Stella into the conversation about becoming her custodian and how she would like to be used.  (Her desire is to be a place for people to come and heal because it is energetically enticing to do so.  This would include people working with me on an intensive level for a week.  Now all we have to do is convince an insurance company to agree with that. 😊).   Last week I was at the house with my real estate agent, and told her that the name of the house was Stella.  She looked at me, and I said, “well, I talk to things.”  As we were leaving I gushed, “can’t you just feel the love that is here?”  Her response was that “she wouldn’t have put it that way, however, now that I asked her, yes, she could feel it.  It was very warm and inviting.”

As the closing date gets closer, I feel her energy working with me more and more.  I received an email from a friend that I have not seen in many years. She would like to come visit and hangout. I am not only very excited that she will do so, I was also very clear that was Stella at work.  I will learn to trust that, and to lean into that.  To honor that her energy will pull in the people that need to be here.  I expect a few friends will want to come by over the next year, and they will find it a respite for their soul.

One other thing that I would like to share about this journey so far.  Last Wednesday I had to drive to Roswell for an eye appointment.  There is a section of highway on Hwy 70 that I really like, and at this time of year, after the many rains, it is beautiful.  My heart was feeling incredibly expansive, and I had the thought that I had to fall in love with Stella in order to fall in love with NM.  Until now, I have frequently said “really Universe, NM???”  I didn’t get it.

I am eager to see where the next leg of my journey will take me.  How Stella and I will co-create a life together, and where will it take us.  Stay tuned.

Stellar Jay

Written by Carroll a member of Women Move It Forward

Recently the universe answered my request for a business partnership of some sort. This request and prayer is one I have been breathing for about 8 months and for several months Ant Spirit Guide has been sending the message of teamwork. Don’t go pushing all alone.

The day we scheduled our first “business” meeting I was presented with a beautiful fluffy and brilliant blue Stellar Jay feather. I looked up the meaning and the message hit home!

Shamanic Journey (some excerpts)

Website Link

Jay’s gifts include understanding how to use power wisely, warning, courage, ability to check on future trouble spots, power of presence (being in the eternal now), fearlessness, resourcefulness, adaptability.

Jay’s show us how to use personal power correctly and effectively, reminding us to pay attention and to not allow ourselves to be put in a situation where power is misused against us. If this is your power animal, bear this in mind.

The bright blue crest atop the blue jays head, connects it to the sky, reminding you true power must be applied in a balanced and honorable fashion. Jays are tremendously resourceful, which may symbolize a need inside of you to learn adaptability for survival with less effort possible.

Jays symbolize huge talent, however, this talent must be developed and used correctly. If jay has flown into your life, this may be a signal that you are coming into a time where you can begin to help the inherent wisdom that lies within you (within us all!) to mature.

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I have been receiving the message to take risks and step into my power and it looks like I have a spirit guide now…

Are you looking to step more fully into your power? If so, call on Blue Jay to help and guide you.

Adventure in an Equine Surgical Procedure

Usually I try to be upbeat and share something inspiring in this blog. Today I am too worn out to be upbeat. I am grateful in my bones, just beyond the aches.  Some people seem to take things in stride, going from one thing to the next.  This may be the shortest blog I ever write.  I will totally understand those who wish to skip this one- or who have even greater health tales to tell about equines.

We fell in love with an “oh- so- cute,” rescued from the kill buyer black and white paint horse, fifteen months ago. Her name is Eclipse.  She is a sweet “heart” horse.  She is 14 hands and 889 pounds.  We soon nick named her “Missy 2 Bears.”  In her Tobiano patches on her right side dwell two bears, one white and one black.  I am sure she is a Medicine Horse!

I soon noticed that something was not quite right about our Missy. Her back end and hind legs were messy all of the time.  She was a (shhhh) dirty girl!  She was constantly in heat, not just urinating but discharging fecal fluid.  Fecal fluid is not diarrhea.  When she lifted her tail to squirt, she squirted both urine and fecal fluid.  It ran down her rump and pooled and encrusted around her legs.  Ugh!  I spent more time cleaning the back end than I did talking to her face.  I also cleaned the barn walls and stalls.

The first Veterinarian reported that she was just hormonal. We also had a fecal done to rule out parasites.  They squirted a syringe called a “charcoal sponge” into her mouth to help dry her up.  It came out pretty much the way it looked when it went in, and stained her hind end and legs black.  We tried probiotics and psyllium and other assorted supplements.  The second Vet we consulted suggested that perhaps Missy had an ovarian tumor.  An ultrasound was scheduled.  It showed an abnormality.  We were told that the tumors are usually benign, and don’t produce cells that travel and form malignancies elsewhere.

We have spent the week transporting Missy back and forth to CSU Equine Veterinary College located in Ft. Collins, Colorado. It is a 6 hour round trip.  We took her up the day before surgery, and brought her home the day after.  The surgery was performed “standing.”  She was given sedation, locals and both ovaries were removed by laparoscopy. Missy had a granulosa theca cell tumor.  Cancer encased inside her enlarged ovary.  It produced a hormonal hurricane in our little mare.  The day before she came home we built her a special pen so that she can be kept quiet and still see the rest of her horse friends.  It is day four, and she is still lethargic and sore and does not have much appetite.  She will be confined for two weeks, with hand walking several times a day until the sutures are removed.  Both flanks are shaved and she has sutures on both flanks.

The CSU clinic was a beehive of activity. At intake we stood in a large holding area along with a tall warmblood, a draft horse and a pretty strawberry roan paint horse with chrome, and many others.  Earlier a mule had caused quite the uproar in the intake area.  Missy was stalled next to a pretty horse that was having a thyroid tumor removed.  Her owner had travelled from Durango in southern Colorado to northern Colorado.  The owner had a motel room.

Missy had a wonderful 4th year veterinarian student who cared for her while she was in the clinic. I am proud of how well Missy did.  She was impeccable at loading into our trailer.  My husband Tom was a trooper.  He reports his neck, shoulders and arms are in pain from gripping the steering wheel so tight.  My head hurts from clenching my teeth.  We older folks are tired to the bone.  But all is well, and the prognosis for the patient is GOOD!  Missy 2 Bears is only 14 years old, and she should have a long life still in front of her.  Perhaps someone dumped her at auction, where the kill buyer got her because they didn’t want to deal with her messy problem.  Somehow, she found her way to us.  I am grateful we could do what we could.  Missy is very bonded to our big Mustang, Spirit.  Hopefully they will grow old in the paddock together.

We will be spending the next two weeks caregiving for our girl. Grateful we are indeed that she will get better.  The Vet bill was less than we first thought.  It only cost one arm, not an arm and a leg.  If the tumor were larger we could not have afforded general anesthesia as they opened her abdomen.

BTW, Equine Surgeons are quite similar to human surgeons. Experts at what they do.  Not much time to chat.  In the meantime, I have missed much of what went on in the world this week, and a couple of my friend’s birthdays.  I apologize.  I am still a happy balloon, but somehow the air escaped and I am flat for now!