I’m thinking about getting a dog. Man’s best friend? I haven’t had a dog since I was much younger; mostly been a cat person. Does it really define a person’s personality…what type of animal you prefer? What about horses? I’m becoming more interested in horses these days. As a kid, someone very dear to me always sketched horses and only wanted horses. I only wanted to sing, and help people emotionally.
Several years ago I went to Nashville for a convention of my ordaining body, as I am an interfaith minister. One of the ministers had created a deck of cards called horse wisdom (i.e. horse sense), which gives insight and guidance. “They” say horses and pigs are the smartest animals, so I looked up horse intelligence on the internet.
“They are watching your every move in detail and deciding if you are worthy of their cooperation and trust. A far cry from many of us who give away our trust for the most naive reasons some times.”
We’ve all heard about or recognized when a dog or cat has either hissed or growled in their first impression of a person, as a signal of discomfort with their energy.
Do we listen to our own inner sense? Even if someone passes our initial sense test, do we put down our antennae or keep our awareness up and continue to listen? When someone tells you they‘re trouble, or think your gender is cruel and ignorant, don’t lie to yourself. Do you think they’re lying? Sometimes listening takes the form of feeling in our body; imbalance, sickness or apprehension.
When I was a child a man in a truck said he would take me to get candy. I got in the truck and soon after felt something was wrong. Then I remembered my parents told me not to get in a stranger’s vehicle even if they offered me candy. I told the man that I had to do something quickly but if he would please wait for me I’d be right back, because I really wanted that candy. He let me out and I ran home.
Sometimes someone seems nice and looking back we may say there weren’t any signs. Look closer and review it with your friends who are honest. See if these examples resonate with you.
In earlier days, did I care how much my date drank; that he took drugs, or how he handled anger? Yes, I did care. Did I overlook it because he was handsome and made me feel special? Perhaps if I felt great about myself already, I may not have overlooked signs that this was a relationship with drama I wouldn’t like.
I’ve had inner feelings warn me not to get involved working with someone who claimed integrity, but I did because the job with them was fun. Turned out they lied and denied even in the face of proven truth. Similarly, I reluctantly allowed a friendship I really didn’t want, and in the light of feeling more and more uncomfortable with their controlling behaviors, when I eventually stepped back, paid a price for letting it go on too long, with unreasonable reactions and threats.
I take personal responsibility for not following my ‘gut’ in those days, and going within to see what was the allure that drew in my naiveté enough to silence my higher self sounding the warning signal of protection. I respect the learning curve it afforded me. To know better is to do better.
We’ll always be tested. To quote Shirley MacLaine’s latest book title, “I’m Over All That.” We can trust that inner sense in the face of temptations. We are wonderful, and enough. When we appreciate and love ourselves internally, we can treat ourselves and others better, instead of falling for flimsy candy-coated lures.
Who doesn’t want love from others? Do we want it at the risk of diving in before checking the temperature of the water? Do we love our self enough First, to take precautions so as not to recklessly allow damages?
I thrill that our inner sense consistently shows us the brightly lit path. Here’s one ‘for instance.’ In many years of counseling clients from all over the world, there was one in particular that stood out years ago. My inner sense simply felt a kinship with a trust built in. Though we bartered once in a while I didn’t see this person often, then years later we were drawn to contact each other at the same time, for the same reason; we were both called to move to Arizona and since have been great friends for years now here.
Can you trust your self to take good care of your heart? Will you love your self the way you want to be loved? Start there. Can others trust that you strive to be impeccable in word and deed?
I urge you, during this holy days season, to really appreciate those people in your life whom you can trust. It’s not how many friends or relationships we have; it’s the quality. I am so grateful that I have trustworthy, reliable people in my life, and that they trust me. Adding an animal friend would add more mutual love.
If you watch who’s naughty or nice without judgment, just discernment, I trust you will have happy holy days of your life.
Love from Rachel Star of Sedona
Reach interfaith minister Rachel Star of Sedona at 928-282-3444 or rachelspirit@earthlink.net. Follow her on facebook and twitter as Rachelspirit. Her website is www.goddesstheway.com. She is available for a positive, empowering Reading at either of her locations in Sedona, or by phone and skype. Each consultation includes angelic channeling, tarot, cards of destiny, numerology, past life insight and astrology (with or without time and location of birth; horoscopes are available). Classes and individual or couples counseling is also available, as well as physical and emotional relief with Reiki or Young Living medicine-grade essential oils.
