A humbling lesson from my four-legged guide

This week my dog surprised and humbled me. We adopted her in October last year, and having been through a lot, she has been pretty reactive with other dogs. I mean, imagine getting on a plane with no explanation and landing in a totally new environment with all the people, places, and rules-of-life different, and then having to find your way again. I'd accepted we might be opting for quieter walks and actively avoiding dogs for all time; it seemed only fair.

But this past week, we took a chance and went on a hike through a popular dog trail that before was totally too much. And I don't know who this dog was but she was a social butterfly! She actively wanted to greet every dog; she pulled towards them and was disappointed if she couldn’t. Her greetings were hesitant still, but self-initiated with a clear intention.

Over time, I have witnessed her move from fear to curiosity in how she sees the world.

She reminded me that we're all on our own timeline, changing with the seasons (of both nature and life). She arrived last autumn, ready to shed her old life and indulge in rest over winter as she slowly got to know her new world. Through spring, she has been asserting herself in the world. And now with the warmth and relaxation of summer, I am watching her opening up and enjoying the sweetness this safe and certain life has to offer. 

Embarrassingly, I realized that she always believed in her transformation with patience and compassion (even when I forgot to), trusting the natural unfolding of her process. This has been a timely reminder that the same is true for me: I don’t need to rush or force, the power of love is all that is required. And what is helpful at times, is to check in with the season I'm in as a way of contextualizing the journey and understanding what energies may be available to work with.

I am sitting with these words as guidance today: Give yourself all the love in the world and let yourself unfurl.

If you would like to work with the energies of the season and create an intentional moment to take stock of what matters most to you, I invite you to join me in my upcoming public workshop, The Collage Portal, at the Yoga Circle (Vancouver) on Sunday, August 23.

The Collage Portal is a creative workshop where you will make your own oracle cards using magazines, paper, and mixed media. Through guided prompts and reflection, you will gain fresh perspective, connect with others, and leave with a meaningful keepsake. This edition invites you to celebrate the abundant, unhurried quality of summer before we begin to approach the Autumn Equinox, as well as to explore other shifts happening in your life. 

You can read more and register here.