LAFOLOT

A friend of mine sent me this ‘daily inspiration’ message yesterday:

I once spoke to my friend, an old squirrel,
about the Sacraments -
he got so excited
and ran into a hollow in his tree and came
back holding some acorns, an owl feather
and a ribbon he found.
And I just smiled and said, “Yes, dear,
you understand
everything imparts
His grace.” –St. Francis of Assisi

No matter WHERE you get your inspiration or place your beliefs; I have personally observed how animals and insects can teach us wonderful life and spiritual lessons!

This morning I was awakened by my cats to; meow! meow! get up and seize the day! (They don’t speak latin, so it wasn’t Carpe’ Diem!) It was 5:55 when I looked at the clock! I like turning on the patio light so my cats can watch any critters going by the sliding glass doors. I noticed a brown rabbit sitting 10 feet out from the patio. I immediately shut off the light; allowing the rabbit its peace.

As dawn broke and I sat at my office computer, I saw the brown rabbit continued to ‘just sit’ in the grass. I put on my distance glasses (being over 50 and now wearing tri-focals), and noticed it was just BEing. I went about my BUSY-ness, and occassionally noticed the rabbit was still there. I avoided eating my healthy breakfast; being too caught up in wondering why the updates on my computer were taking so long! Again, the rabbit was JUST BEing. I noticed it decided to take a little ‘munch’ out of the grass.

I took the rabbits advice around 6:00 AM and started my healthy breakfast. I sat in my comfy sofa with my accent table containing my healthy breakfast items; and had breakfast while just BEing with the rabbit. When I was done, and continued to sit as the rabbit was, it started to twitch its nose. I realized I was tapping my finger on the sofa in time with the rabbit.

Was the next clue to ‘get moving now’ since I had finished my breakfast? I went back to my computer to see if the updates were completed, so I could access my e-mail; it was now about 7:09 AM. The rabbit stretched its legs by going into a partial sit-up position then went back into resting mode. It took a few more nibbles out of the grass; and at 7:11 AM it hopped off to its right, across the back lawn.

I wished the rabbit a HOPPY day and thanked it for inviting me into its EARLY MORNING RABBITATION (meditation/prayers).

I have a ferrel cat named Fonzie; who was rescued from under a local playhouse, after its mother had been hit by a car. The meows were heard by actors in rehearsal at the theatre. I got Fonzie (so named for his softness and survivor abilities), to be a ‘playmate’ to my Alpha Male cat Buddy. Fonzie wasn’t more than 4 inches long and high, and STOOD UP to Buddy (arching his back) when he first met him. What a brave cat! I thought! Fonzie saw himself BIGGER than his body gave him credit for! (John Maher)

It has taken 4 years, but Fonzie has taught me a lot. Be Brave, Be Cautious, Be Bold and Be a good friend to Alpha characters; you never know when you’ll need their help! Fonzie went from constantly hiding in the closets, under the bed, to finally showing himself. He then went from jumping, running and hiding EVERY time he saw me, to now ALLOWING me to sit near him on the sofa without running away. He now comes to me to ALLOW me to pet him! (ha ha ha) I watch the way he slowly approaches Buddy and then gets groomed and allowed to cuddle with Buddy for a nap. I got to watch how GENTLY Buddy introduced Fonzie into the family. Buddy would gently give ‘fake nips/bites at Fonzie and then follow with gentle licking’. I saw the message he was giving Fonzie, ‘it’s OK, don’t stress, relax’. I saw how he could calm Fonzie with his Alpha Male Cat wisdom and gentleness.

I saw a duck ‘just sitting’ out in our parking lot yesterday. It was raining, and puddles were forming. We RUN from the rain; this duck said ‘bring it on!’ – YES! I’ve got more puddles!

When I’m spending too much time at my computer, my Alpha femal cat ‘Kitty’ jumps up on the desk and insists I pet her. Not only that, she plops down and insists I scratch behind her head and also gently rub her belly. She then, shows me TOTAL TRUST, closes her eyes and goes into a sleep. ‘Enough of that computer!’ she is gently telling me; time to take a break and rest. She has total trust while she allows me to cradle her; since she would surely slip off the desk if I wasn’t supporting her while she rests.

I am grateful for all the creatures and insects that present themselves to me, each day, to teach me life and spiritual lessons.

Allow me to give a SHOUT OUT to the mammal and insect world: Meow! Woof! Buzzz! Rabbit Nose Twitch! Tweet! Chirp! etc.
Thank you for taking the time to allow me to attend your classes. Where can I sign up for the next lesson?

Highlighted Ha Ha Helen Szollosy of LAFOLOT
Living Life in A-Maze-Ment!
Live Life! Laugh Often!
www.lafolot.com
[this blog can also be seen at Vibrant Nation under Blog Circle name: Helenoflafolot]

When you can LAUGH at the amazing spiritual lessons that are going on around you, no matter how absurd, joy comes to your heart!

I started out the day, peacefully and productively. I was so proud of my positive way in which I dealt with the latest ‘Loonie-fields’ condo board actions! As I shared, previously, about bringing my NOW ILLEGAL birdbath into my home as a water-reflection bowl for candles; I got to enjoy mini rainbow spots all over my dining room walls and ceiling as the sun passed through the votive candle holders yesterday!

So, there I was, sitting at my computer, looking out my PEACEFUL view of daffodils, birds, a beautiful gray stone wall surrounding a church cemetery when: da dun, da dun … da dun da dun… JUST WHEN I THOUGHT I WAS SAFE!

Ha Ha! Two men, one with a notepad, examing my plant hanger with silk flower basket outside my office window. (delete explitives here – ha ha) – NOW WHAT! I had my sliding glass doors open, so I went over and asked: IS THERE A PROBLEM? BECAUSE IF THERE’S A PROBLEM, TELL ME NOW – SO I CAN REMOVE THE OFFENDING PLANT HANGER AND POT SO AS NOT TO ADD TO THE 10 LETTERS THE BOARD HAS ALREADY SENT ME – AS WELL AS BEING TOLD I’LL BE FINED! The men said, oh no no no, we’re just walking around to check things.

I said, ‘Well, I read your letter and removed all the mums and daffodils per the note to remove all perennials from the grounds around the buildings. What else is it that is a problem so we can take care of it, so I can have some peace!’ They said, oh no, we don’t know anything about that. I said: ‘Well, I guess you haven’t read your Board letter.’ ha ha (How was I doing with my spiritual growth in this moment? hmm?) Gotta laugh at myself!

So, I realize I need to take a deep breath and calm down. I get myself focused, and get ready to go ‘out and about’ to pick up the paper to see my Book Signing AD, stop at the grocery store and then head out to lunch. I accomplish all this in a gradually more calming manner. I even got to try some of my uplifting, motivational talk with a friend’s daughter who recently lost her job, lost her boyfriend and relocated to the area. Isn’t it said, if you’re feeling down, reach out and help someone else? So, I felt good that I took the focus off myself, long enough, to help another soul.

Then, I thought to myself – I need a mini-vacation. If you got to read my CHUCKLING WITH THE DUCKS blog from last Fall; I decided to head over to Boiling Springs Children’s Lake (Central PA area of USA).

My intention was to sit in the same spot as before (I noticed the HA HA HA black marker letters were no longer there). My intention was to SIT, BE STILL, AND ALLOW NATURE TO CONTINUE ‘BEing’ around me. So, I find a nice spot on the gray stone step right down at the water level. The lake is fed by a natural water bubble, bubbling up from the earth. It was great. It was within a foot of me, where I sat!

I knew if I sat there long enough, even though it is a big lake, eventually the ducks, geese and white swans would slowly come by to visit. I knew all I had to do was relax and BE. I even got so relaxed as to remove my sneakers and socks (It was 74 degrees fahrenheit out!).

So, there I was, just BEing. Far from the madding crowd (ha ha). Ah, yes, *sigh – breathe in and out – far from thoughts of the Loonie-fields condo board ….. *sigh – ah yes – breathe in and out – just BEing – yessssss – birds twittering, flying, chirping…
feel the peace …

“HEY, HAVE YOU SEEN ANY SNAKES!” (laugh out loud) A red headed, freckled kid about 9 years old comes stomping towards me from the road. I look up and smile, telling him no, I hadn’t. I like kids and like talking and joking with them, so I didn’t mind.
The hilarious part is, (as I got up to help him look around for snakes and dip my feet in the cool refreshing water) he started to get more and more exaggerated with his LOVE of violence with animals! He let me know he had two days off school for the holiday.
He started to describe, in detail, the most deadly snakes of the world; how they bite and bite and bite and watch their prey slowly die! He went on and on and on! [WHAT HAPPENED TO MY PEACEFUL MOMENT?]

I asked where he had learned so much about snakes? He proudly revealed he had gone to the library! I told him that was great. He was frustrated that he had recently had to do a report on an animal for school. He said it had to be on the Polar Bear. I said, don’t you like Polar Bears? He said no, but all the GOOD animals were taken. He said he was 24th on the list to pick an animal and all the: SNAKES, LIONS, TIGERS – the good animals that kill stuff, were taken! I said, ‘Oh!’ (Was I talking to a future Charles Manson, here!) I said: Next time, if you want an interesting animal, try a rat or cockroach – they’ve been around since prehistoric times. They are amazing creatures. They adapt to all situations. HE WALKED AWAY! (laugh out loud!)

So, then – back to my PEACEFUL just BEing. Ah yess….. some ducks started to come towards me… a black bird… ah yess…. just BEing – then…. ‘JUMP DOWN TO THE GRAY ROCK NEAR THE WATER’S EDGE demanding: WHAT’S THIS!’ A woman coming behind the child, stating: THAT’S SEAWEED! (What seaweed was doing along the rock’s edge of a lake, I don’t know. ha ha The older woman was caught off-guard by the child’s question. She then said: ALGAE) Along comes another woman, who sits on the step directly behind me.

The first woman asks directly, as she sees my shoes and sneakers sitting on the wall to my left: FEET TIRED FROM WALKING? The little girl joins in: WHY DID YOU TAKE YOUR SHOES OFF!? (laugh out loud)

I said: ‘Because I’m a stressed out older woman who is working on relaxing.’ The older woman laughed. Then, an older gentleman (seemed to be a friend of the older woman) joined them. He came over to observe the little girl poking her stick at the: SHE ANNOUNCED – IT’S SEAWEED, GEORGE! IT’S SEAWEED! He said, Oh? (I had to laugh). Then, the little girl decided she needed to get up and down the steps by squeezing through the 2 inch space between the step I was sitting on and the wall. I was happy to accommodate. I thought it was funny. At one point, she was holding her stick with GOOPS AND GOOPS of dripping SEAWEED on it, about an inch from my head. The older woman asked her to not drip the GOOP ON THE LADY. (that was nice)

From listening to the foursome, it appeared the woman sitting behind me was the mother of the little girl. The mother had a back problem and had to take sitting breaks while walking around the lake. The older woman may have been a friend or grandparent.

I just had to laugh. I thought to myself while the little kid STORMED in with the SNAKES! question and the little girl who JUMPED freely off the wall down to the rock where I was sitting (along with the older woman talking to the girl’s mother about: MURDEROUS birds outside her window, knocking eggs out of a nest and killing the birds) – WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?

I laughed to myself, and asked the question: ‘What am I learning here?’ I thought, ‘I drove AWAY from the Condo People to get some emotional and mental relaxation and I start to get VISITED by SNAKES, AND KIDS AND PEOPLE, OH MY!

Well, Dorothy, you didn’t have to leave Kansas to learn the lesson! I knew, when I got there, if I JUST SAT – the birds, swans, ducks and geese would softly, quietly, eventually float or fly over to me. I then realized, if I JUST SAT – the little boy with his snakes, the little girl with her seaweed goo, the woman with the murderous bird stories, eventually CAME and WENT!

After I realized this, I noticed the buds had started to sprout on the cherry blossom tree to my left. I noticed green buds appearing on the tree to my right. I noticed the Beautiful White Swans had suddenly appeared within viewing distance of me!

All I had to do was BE. Just BE. Sometimes loud little boys with stories of KILLER snakes appeared; sometimes little girls with Seaweed Goop, and sometimes blackbirds, ducks, geese or swans… but THEY ALL came and went.

It appears I experienced all the lessons of the Bible, Budhist Mindfulness, Rumi, and other great sources of inspiration – just by BEing at Children’s Lake in Boiling Springs this afternoon. As I type this, a little bird is working its way through the grass outside my window…. it came and now it is going. My cat Kitty stopped by to visit and lounge across the keyboard so I would pet her furry belly while she relaxed… then, she left…

Thanks to ALL that visited me today!
Living life in amazement!
Live Life! Laugh Often!
LOOK OUT! IT’S A SNAKE COVERED IN SEAWEED GOO! …just kidding!
Highlighted Ha Ha Helen Szollosy of LAFOLOT
Living in the moment…
www.lafolot.com
[this blog post may also be seen at Vibrant Nation - Blog Circle name: Helenoflafolot ]

CHUCKLING WITH THE DUCKS!
September 15, 2009

Due to having had a highly stressful past week, I decided to do something healthy for myself. I drove 6 miles to the quaint rural town of Boiling Springs, PA to ‘take a nature moment’. [I ended up having a casual LAUGHTER session with the CHUCKLING, CHATTERING, HONKING, HEH HEH HEHing DUCKS as I released my stress and communed with nature.]

My destination: Boiling Springs Children’s Lake
This is a beautiful, pristine lake made by the BUBBLING waters from a natural, Artesian Well!
There are stone steps at various areas, leading to the water. There is a path all around the lake. It’s beautiful! It is home to a variety of Mallard Ducks, White Geese with Bright Orange beaks, Brown Geese, and some swans!

I made sure to wear my bug spray, due to the swarms of mosquitoes in our area.
My intention was to have a peaceful, meditative time, communing with nature.

I STEALTHILY walked across the grass towards the first stone step area I saw, leading down to the water.
There was a group of Mallard Ducks ‘just hanging out’ along the grass near the stone wall surrounding the lake. I didn’t want to disturb them…. So sloooowwwwwly I approached with ‘KUNG FU – GRASSHOPPER-like’ stealthiness. (is that a word? ;o) )

As I reached the top, stone step – NO FOOLING! I SWEAR! – what had someone written on the stone with black marker but: HAHAHA (one HA on top of the other in columnar form)

Just then, some of the sleeping mallard ducks started to honk/cluck??; but they sounded like they were LAUGHING! Quack quack quack! Heh Heh Hehhhhhh!

So! Taking the synchronistic message from the Universe – HA HA HELEN sat on the HA HA HA STEP!

My stealth walking worked! I hadn’t disturbed the Mallard ducks nestled to the right of me, on the grass! *pfew!

Some Mallard ducks were in the lake water, just 3 steps down from where I was sitting.
I was thrilled to not have disturbed their routine.

There were a bunch of Geese, farther out in the lake, HONKING HONKING HONKING –

The longer I sat there, the more the natural movement of the FOWL FRIENDS continued around me.

At one point – 7 White Geese and two – inter-FOWL geese (1/2 white ½ brown) – there’s no prejudice in this community! – swam towards me. Then, they went to an area to my left where they could walk out of the lake onto the grass. It was so wonderful, I guess the lead/guard goose came over to ‘check me out’ for safety sake. I remained still. Then they happily went around, finding food items in the grass/dirt.

Having gotten past my bug phobia a year ago – now being in appreciation of all life – a bee started to fly around my hand. I sat still, THRILLED that I could accept it. It lightly flew around my hand and graced me with a soft kiss of its furry body. I had to SMILE – having allowed myself to have this peaceful interaction with this industrious insect.

Then came the loud, boisterous geese from the far end of the lake. It was great! They were flapping their wings with vigor – flying about 15 feet as their webbed feet skimmed the water – then they would THRUST themselves INTO the water – SWIM 15 FEET UNDER WATER! – and pop up out of the water! I had never seen this before! It seemed to be the larger geese that were doing this – possibly strengthening their wings, getting ready to fly South? The smaller geese seemed to be staying out of it. So, I thought it might be a way of showing their strength? Either way, it was a joy to behold!

Later, the large, white, orange billed geese PLOPPED one by one, off the stone wall, back into the lake.

Then, two Mallard ducks swam towards where I was sitting. It was like one of them was CHATTERING with the other one, telling a story. It was making this very fast CHATTERING sound as if it was LAUGHING as it was telling a story to its friend! I LAUGHED OUT LOUD when I heard it!

So, I had a casual LAUGHTER session with the CHUCKLING, CHATTERING, HONKING, HEH HEH HEHing DUCKS as I released my stress and communed with nature.

It was a HA HA HAPPY TIME!
HA HA HELEN OF LAFOLOT
LIVING IN THE MOMENT…
LIVE LIFE! LAUGH OFTEN!

[this blog can also be read at the Vibrant Nation site under blogger name: Helenoflafolot]