The Ladybug Punch

Day 1: On a lovely Saturday morning, while teaching yoga outdoors at The Goodland Hotel in Goleta, a bodacious lady bug made its way onto my right big toe. Super sweet.

Two days later…

Day 2: While holding a personal yoga practice in the backyard, I felt a sharp “thwack” on my left arm. I looked around and saw that what had ricocheted off my arm and onto my yoga mat was a lady bug. I watched as the dazed lady bug flared its wings, as if to reset itself and then flew off. “I thought, ok Universe, I’m listening.”

I believe in omens. I believe they are signs from the Universe whose purpose is to guide us. Especially, when they happen twice. No need to get punched in the face for a third clue. Much like deciphering the meaning of a dream, the presence of an animal (be it a bug) can contain clues and deep meanings.

As a spirit animal, the lady bug heralds a time of luck in which one’s wishes begin to be fulfilled. Higher goals and new heights are possible. Worries began to dissipate and new happiness comes about. All wishes will come true.

Lady bugs can also mean for one to be aware not to try too hard or rush forward in order to make dreams come true; allow things to flow at their own pace. Live by your own truth, protect it and know its yours to honor. 

According to Louis Haye, toes represent the minor details of the future. Arms represent the capacity and ability to hold the experience of life.

Let’s not ignore the significance of the number 2. The number two can mean: double weakness or double strength, division, soul receptivity and the subconscious mind. 

Put this all together: Do not dwell on the little details. Know that everything will sort itself out, in its due time. Do not be afraid to embrace your truth - to honor and protect it - by allowing yourself to experience life as it is, to the fullest. Release the worries and thus allow wishes to be fulfilled, to herald in a new, greater happiness and abundance. Double the power due to the number 2.

Well, shoot, the timing of the message was right on the money.

Up until the lady bug punch, I had been obsessing on the “not enough”. Busted! Tsk tsk. As a spiritualist, I know better than to do this. For the Law of Attraction states that what you focus on, you manifest. I had been consumed with creating and developing my business, so much so that my brain started to obsess on what I didn’t have, foolishly thinking this would support the focus of what I would have. That’s not how it works! You can’t create a full cup with a half empty cup. However, you can create a full cup with a half filled cup. See the difference? 

One morning, while walking the dog, I observed my train of thought and got tired of hearing my brain repeat itself - the same stuff, same worries, same not-enough basket list and said “enough!” (ironically) I began to practice the art of appreciation for all the little things around me in that moment; the simple act of noticing little beauties around me and thanking them.

Thank you little wild purple flower for existing.

Thank you Mr. Black Beetle for trekking across the path.

Thank you wild flowers for being in abundance.

Thank you tall golden grass for shining in the morning light.

Thank you sun for shining your morning light onto us.

Thank you soft breeze for caressing my skin.

I began to feel a deep sense of connection, filled with love and peace; a wonderful intertwinement (yup that’s the word I’m using and sticking to it!) with the world. We are all universally connected and only exist separately in our minds, because of the way we choose to see one another and ourselves. I had begun to see the “not enough” because of what I had chosen to focus on. Based on my thoughts, my beliefs had begun to shape how I viewed my world and more importantly how I viewed myself in the world. Not enough. This was ultimately the message I had said to myself repeatedly for days, weeks, months.

The practice of gratitude was inspired by the words of a local Chumash Elder and Firekeeper, Art Cisneros, whom was a panelist during the community discussion on Religionism (as part of the educational series on prejudice put on by Unity Interfaith Pride Alliance that I co-founded).

Art talked about a native american indian ritual wherein you practice gratitude for all that surrounds you in your world. Art said it could be as simple as the obvious: thank you strawberry for being in my cereal bowl, thank you leaf for being a part of this flower…

Thank you, lady bugs for interrupting my train of thought and reawakening my heart’s awareness to all that I am and all that is. I hold Art Cisneros with much gratitude for sharing his wisdom and beliefs.

To learn more about Art Cisneros’ affiliations you can visit these two websites:

www.thesacredearthfound.org

www.tribaltrustfoundation.org