In a world full of choices,
You've made the choice to ground and settle,
To go in and see what happens.
Inhale,
Exhale.
Welcome to a hit of hope.
Recently I was driving in the woods of northern Minnesota on a Sunday morning.
The highway was deserted,
The trees were just beginning to turn colors,
And the sky was that blue that it is so bright it can make a spirit ache.
Inhale,
Exhale.
When I came around a curve I saw something ahead.
It was standing on the other side of the road,
And I thought it might be a stray dog.
In that instant I was trying to figure out what I would do.
Should I stop?
Should I drive on by?
Inhale,
Exhale.
When I got closer I saw that it was a breathtaking red fox.
She was standing on the highway and looked unsure of what she should do next.
I slowed my car down and began to whisper,
Please,
Please just cross the road and get yourself to safety.
The fox took a few steps back toward the ditch which she had just left.
Oh thank God,
I whispered,
But then she changed her mind and began walking toward my side of the road.
I gripped my steering wheel tighter because I could see now there was an oncoming car.
Inhale,
Exhale.
I continued to beg,
Please get off the road.
Can't you see how dangerous it is for you right here,
Right now?
By this time I was passing the fox who stared at me.
I stared back.
Now I had to look into the rearview mirror to see what would happen.
Thank goodness the fox returned to the ditch she had come from,
Keeping her safe from the oncoming car.
Inhale,
Exhale.
As I drove on I couldn't help but see myself and all of us as that fox.
How often we become frozen in indecision,
Not knowing what to do which way to go next.
But let's be honest,
Isn't the way to safety and wholeness in our lives often pretty damn clear?
As I continued driving I imagined whatever divine beings or ancestors or spirits there might be hovering at the edges of my life and I bet they have often felt the same way as I had as I begged that fox.
I could imagine them saying please make the choice that gets you to safety and wholeness and life.
Inhale,
Exhale.
These moments of indecision where we feel frozen can be big and small.
There could be times when we are asked to do one more thing even though we're exhausted and we hover on the edge of yes and no.
Should I?
Shouldn't I?
In moments like that what if we pause and then ask what is my path to feeling the most protected,
Alive,
And whole?
Inhale,
Exhale.
There could also be times when you know,
You know what the answer is.
Even though you know there will be fallout or fractures or friction.
In tough moments like that,
Pause,
Breathe,
Acknowledge it's risky to be alive.
Then trust your center to guide you to the path that will ultimately lead you to life and more life.
It will not be easy because life never is.
There are always things coming at us.
Pause,
Breathe,
Trust your wisest self to whisper,
Here.
This is the way.
This is the way to a life where you are safe and whole.
Where you can live light and shine.
