Lizards & COVID-19

Since my 'nature walks' are temporarily confined to my apartment complex because of the changes COVID 19 has brought to us, I am choosing to find adventure in my somewhat limited environment.

Today, I was amused to realize just how much I have been enjoying the little lizards that run around everywhere down here in Florida. I couldn't help but notice how my relationship with them has evolved during our 'quarantine' where dozens of them skip and skitter across my footpath on my daily walk-abouts.

As I was walking this morning I passed one who had lost most of its tail....and I spoke to it words of sympathy. Then, quickly realized that sympathy wasn't needed (or desired) but instead, offered compliments on how beautiful and agile it still was, tail or no tail.

Next I saw the biggest one I've seen to date perched atop the largest rock in that section of landscaping just as pretty as you please and so I said to it, "Well, I see you've made King of the Mountain.....but what makes you so sure you belong up there?" Which, I immediately realized was not needed (or desired) so I added, "but look at how beautiful your markings are and your confidence to stand alone for all to see is inspiring!"

As I rounded a corner a few minutes later I witnessed a large lizard chasing one that was half its size and I couldn't help my first response which was to scold the big bully. "Hey! STOP that and mind your own business" but then my attention turned to the little guy who so gracefully made its hasty exit and changed my thoughts and comments to, "Oh boy look at you go! Isn't it marvelous that you have your big friend there to help push you to be the best you can be!?" because, well, my first-impression comments steeped in bully/victimhood mentality were not needed (or desired).

Navigating the Turbulent Seas of Change

CHANGE...Funny how this little word makes a lot of us cringe! Granted, there are a few of you out there who have somehow learned to automatically welcome change and immediately become excited when it arrives at your door.  For the rest of us, though, it's not that easy!

     Let's face it, periodic changes in our lives are unavoidable.  Try as we might, we cannot out run change.  I am fond of saying, "The Universe will whisper in our ear when it wants us to seek change.  If we don't listen, it will tap us on the shoulder to get our attention.  If we continue to ignore the signs we are getting it will cuff us upside the head....and if we still refuse to budge it will knock the legs right out from underneath us so that we have no choice but face the needed change."  I've spent most of my life dragging this scenario out until I was knocked to the floor.  Always under the guise of "never give up or give in!"

     Case in point, I had a job that was not serving me physically, spiritually or financially but I was so comfortable in my role I refused to seek a new career.  The Universe started showing me in subtle ways (the 'whisper') by presenting financial challenges that I could not meet on my own with my current wage.  My answer?  Borrow...get someone else to help me through or simply go without things I needed or wanted.  So, like a stubborn child, I needed a little tap or 'cuff' on the head to get me moving...this presented itself as an on-the-job-injury.  Did I seek the change then?  Nope, I had the surgery and did my best to recover and back to the same job I went.  This time I let myself take on feelings of guilt for even thinking about leaving this job when my employers were so generous and helpful when I hurt myself.  After all, they counted on me a great deal and wouldn't I be ungrateful to simply leave them high and dry?  The Universe's response to this?  Re-injure the same wound.  I was then literally forced off the job and had to strike out on my own and break into a brand new career that I knew absolutely nothing about.  Scary!