This contemplation came from my friend, Krystyn, in Colorado.  I’m happy to share her story with all of you (with her permission, of course!)

I set out yesterday morning for my usual morning walk with more excitement than usual.  I’ve been asking for an animal totem for guidance and today I really felt I was going to have an incredible encounter. And boy did I have a royal flush of an experience.  My morning walk consists of a 2 mile walk to the mindful bump, technically it’s a dip where the overflow from Lake Bauer flows to a creek and then joins with the Mancos River

My first encounter was standing in the middle of the road as if to block my passage, a very bold statement for this notoriously shy creature.  He was in the middle of the dip and starring directly at me.    As almost immediate as I see him standing there I am whisked to my thoughts of Wilmington and feelings of love for the friends that reside there. There are over 43 different species of Heron, ranging in colors from white, to green, and the illustrious Great Blue.  An incredibly solitary creature the Heron only gathers with others at night and during breeding season.  An excellent huntsman the Heron spends most of its waking time stalking the shallows for small aquatic life.  The Heron reminds us to be still patient and wade slowly in the shallows never getting too deep.  I can’t help but identify with his solitary nature.  Our moment is interrupted by one of the many four legged friends accompanying me on my walk.  As I watch him fly away his neck bent to an S shape keeping his throat close to his heart I am reminded to speak my truth through the filter of my own heart.

The heron surprisingly joined another perched in a nearby budding Cottonwood.  I pause briefly recognizing the pair but my attention is immediately drawn to a neighboring tree where the pair of Bald Eagles sit.  Again I am reminded of patience as I watch these two joined in the art of raising young wait motionless.  Eagle medicine represents the power of Great Spirit and connection to the Divine.  It reminds us to soar above and look beyond what we see possible.  I’ve been watching this pair for a few weeks now.  I saw one earlier this week that had caught a fish too big to carry and was struggling to get back to her nest and feed the babies.  Recognizing her triumph I thought maybe too much abundance is too much.  Beaming with gratitude for these four birds sitting above the land perched, ready, waiting, I exhale and turn to see an otter swimming past.

Divine in nature the incredibly feminine Otter reminds us to be joyful, open, and trusting.  She is known to play with her young and is associated with abundance and magic.  The message I take from her today is to be conscious of deficit thinking.  Sometimes it shows up as jealousy, coveting, or wanting to hold on too tight.  If we are to truly love its unconditional love without object.  Divine love means tapping into the deep core of universal love that surrounds us all.  I watch her swim diving to the bottom time countless times each time retrieving some crunchy bottom dweller.  She moves gracefully knowing there’s enough for us all.  She dips out of sight and I continue on my walk.

I’ve been spinning with contemplation since this mystical morning.  I went back to my secret spot today to contemplate these messages.  I definitely get patience, magical, and connection.  I affirm my intentions and recognize that I need to be fully here and focus on what I am creating.  All is possible!

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Krystyn, thank you for your story and reminders to ask for support from many sources!  As always, you are an amazing inspiration to me!  Keep on manifesting all of your dreams.  Love,  Ash