Love is a Verb...
We are sitting in the Crystal bar, the log fire is roaring and the room is full of Saturday night diners. It is a very English winter scene.
Anadi is checking us in on-line for our flight tomorrow... I am about to respond to an email from Mr and Mrs Louis, who expressed their excitement to be welcoming us back to their property... Tomorrow night the scene will be very different indeed...
This morning we went for a final run around the park, running laps as the sun rose magnificently across the frosty frozen ground; we also went down to our big oak tree for a hug goodbye.
As we approached the tree, a little, brown, sleek rocket came bolting towards us. A flash of speed. His master was following with another dog on a lead.
It turned out that the little brown dog was a racing dog called Branston... 'I am inspired by him' I said. 'He is very quick' his master responded; 'I am inspired by you', I said to Branston as he tore about in high spirits, as fit as a fiddle... 'It's not his racing season now' his owner continued... 'Does the other one race?' Anadi asked... 'No, she is a completely different breed, she is a rescue dog. She is okay with people but has issues with other dogs, but we are getting there; slowly, slowly...'
We watched the trio disappear along the path, speedy Branston running every which way, and his friend on a lead, gently gently, getting there...
Their master giving them both unconditional love.
The love for animals is uncomplicated, nothing gets in the way... It has the possibility to be a space of great healing for owner and for the pet too; an open heartedness can exist without any fear of rejection, trust builds...
The same space can exist between us all. It is important that we are mindful to commit to being the best friend, wife or husband, partner or colleague, brother or sister that we can be...
If we are always conscious of what we are putting into the 'space between'; if we are committed to taking responsibility for our part in any dialogue, then confidence builds in this space and the same uncomplicated open trust that is so often found between master and pet, can exist in the spaces between us all.
We ran over to our tree, and lay against him again. He greeted us and welcomed us into his arms. 'This tree has seen a lot', Anadi commented as we looked into each other's eyes...
Looking into Anadi's eyes is like looking into a still, deep, blue lake; we rested some more 'I wonder what is next...? I said as we started back up the hill to breakfast...' We are about to find out' Anadi replied.
I enjoyed a delightful day engaging with clients and friends; Alison brought me a rose from her winter rose tree. Three Christmases ago she gave me a beautoulf perfect pink rose, and since then, as I have not been here for Christmas, she has sent me a photo from the 'Julia Tree'!
She gave me the rose and some snow drops too, which sat on the table as we drank coffee. I gave her a blue stone to mark her birthday; the exchanging of gifts - symbols of love and friendship - a wonderful way for the energy to be transformed into something tangible for us to give and receive...
Love like happiness is a verb...
