During this second lockdown of the pandemic, I’m finding myself re-treading familiar waters. My mindful practice of seeking the beauty in life for what it is, so as to continue cultivating gratitude, requires a deeper sense of focus, a deeper commitment. I find myself wavering in a way, unlike last time.
For example…
One afternoon on a solo walk I was showered with an array of amber leaves. It looked like a classic photograph coming to life under a paintbrush of golden pixie dust. Magical. The next day, I felt sad and just wanted to be an ostrich. It was hard to see Spirit’s artistry in life. Luckily….a little boy reminded me how life is still full of joy, still full of surprises.
Here are three similar experiences, that I believe are Omens gifted to me by children.
ACCEPTANCE
Location: Luang Prabang, Laos, Southeast Asia (2015)
At an evening outdoor market, Dan and I were walking through a narrow aisle, when a little girl was running straight at me. I thought we were going to crash into one another, but when she reached me, she looked up and wrapped her arms around my leg. I looked down at her beaming face. I saw no fear. Just sheer joy. I said “Hi there!” She had been playfully running away from her grandfather when our paths collided. As he spoke to her in Laotian, she held onto my leg. With the tone of his voice and gestures I could tell he was doing his best to goad her back. Each time, she responded by tightening her embrace and with every squeeze her smile got bigger and her large onyx eyes brighter. I came to realize she didn’t see me as a stranger. I was “just someone else”. She held on long enough that Dan joked, “Oh wow, do we keep her?” I laughed. Maybe because of my mixed ethnicity I did look like a local and maybe not. I just felt….loved.
Night Market in Luang Prabang, Laos
SPIRIT
Location: Krabi, Thailand, Southeast Asia (2015)
This is actually two omens in one.
One afternoon, I floated out in the shallow ocean water and just…was. Between me and the shore was a line of long tailed boats. Behind me, was a great distance of water before the island of Phuket. I could feel the energy of everything around me. It was as though the water amplified everything. So, I closed my eyes, submerged my ears and channeled with Spirit. The message that came through was powerful, one I will never forget. (It really deserves its own blog post). After I was done channeling, I opened my eyes and saw an eagle directly above me. It made several circles before it flew out toward Phuket. Circles represent connection to spirit. The eagle’s orbit felt like a definitive button on the message received. Sort of like Spirit was asking me, “Got it, kid?” Yup!
Afterwards, still filled with the warmth of the message, I decided to sit down on the warm sand and meditate. I sat in the traditional seated posture (Padmasana) and opened my energy to the magic around me.
After some time, I sensed a presence and opened my eyes to see a little boy running circles around me. He was simply…running, as though he could sense a special energy and decided to add his. I closed my eyes so I could better sense his spirit and… he kept running. At some point I sensed a change in his action, so I opened my eyes and waited. With a large smile, he presented me with two deep green leaves. I opened up both of my hands to receive them and he gently laid the leaves in my palms. I smiled gratefully. I was so touched, but was unsure what was meant by them. I looked up at him as if to ask “What am I meant to do with them?” He began to flap his arms and in English said, “You fly,” then pointed up to the sky. He just knew.
The two “feathers” gifted to me on the beach of Krabi, Thailand
HUMILITY
Location: Santa Barbara, CA USA (present)
Oreo had guided me to a quaint green gate on our afternoon walk. She sniffed its outline thoroughly, while I gazed around. I was standing there just long enough…..“Hi!” Out popped a little boy. He had a full head of brown curly hair and a large smile that said, “Gotcha!”
Such. Great. Timing!
I jumped, smiled and laughed. “Well done!”
“Bye-yeeeeee!” He then ran off into his house.
I laughed the rest of the way home. I was tickled by his timing, the sheer genius of it all and at myself. The had jolted my head out of my ass.
“…so learn to laugh at yourself. It’s really the easiest place to begin. It’s about humility. Laugh at yourself and don’t be so pompous and serious. If you start looking for the humor in life, you will find it. You will stop asking, Why me? and start recognizing that life happens to all of us. It makes everything easier, including your ability to accept others and accept all that life will bring.”
Indeed, kid, and thank you.