Yesterday was a tough one. Our beloved pet cat needed emergency treatment and from early in the morning the day was spent in bursts of activity then periods of waiting. The busy bits came as a blessed relief, a counterpoint to the difficulty of waiting, twiddling our thumbs, not knowing.
I witnessed heartache, brokenness and compassion in great amounts. From the worried looks on the faces of other people in the waiting rooms, to the warm smiles and dedication of the professionals. It was a day of contrasts, like many of our days on the earth.
I was tired and raw when I observed a middle aged couple walking their little old dog around the car park. There was something in his wobbly legs that spoke of his age and infirmity. When his owner clapped her hands and called to him, there was no response until she was up close, petting his side. Then, his little tail wagged and he knew she was there. The couple had a sadness about them as they carried their little old friend into the vets. In no time at all both humans returned, devastated, with their canine companion nowhere to be seen and I understood what had happened. They both hugged through tears, in the little sun lit back lot surrounded by trees.
What seemed like only minutes later, a vet and vetinary nurse appeared carrying a little bundle wrapped up in a homely dog blanket and with dignity and care it was placed in the back of the grieving couple’s car. Exchanges of thanks, more tears and the car disappeared.
Sat watching this sadness unfold, I cried freely. Anyone who has ever had a pet or loved an animal will understand. I’m lucky as a medium, I know for a fact that our pets live on in the Next World and that we will be reunited with them all one day. I could already picture that little white dog running freely, restored to full health, catching a red ball, his tail wagging furiously. Where he had walked with his owners moments before, I watched a single white feather drift down silently out of the sky, a nod from the Great Spirit.
All is well.
Our crazy day continued, our cat being transferred to a place where he could be monitored overnight. Once again I found myself sat in the car, watching the sun set over the city, the streetlights slowly becoming reflections of the stars.
I closed my eyes and thanked God for this day. A day of so many ups and downs, so many tears, worries and fears, and I exhaled long and slow.
I consciously created a small oasis of peace in that maelstrom of a day. I asked the Source to bless that little white dog, to give strength and support to his owners, to shine down blessings on the professional carers and show them the compassion that they daily show others. I asked for each animal in every home to loved, I petitioned for peace on this earth…..
and lastly I asked that if our cat’s life on this earth was at an end, that he should not suffer or struggle.
Making space for those moments of peace balanced the emotions of the day, harmonised my feelings about everything and allowed me the grace to accept all that had been and all that will be.
In life we can spend so much time rushing around and being unaware of ourselves. Our feelings can go unacknowledged. If we want more equilibrium, we have to make space for ourselves to experience moments of peace, even if it is just sitting in a car at the end of a busy day.
With peace comes great relief and comfort for the soul. Moments of peace in a hectic day are like refreshing well springs that bubble up and purify the Spirit, mind and body. They are essential to our health and wellbeing and are easily overlooked.
But what a blessing they can be.
Inula Austin Soul Growth 