The Guest House

Love this poem for so many reasons.  I used it as a journaling prompt on a track I created for Insight Timer recently and wanted to share it here for anyone else who might enjoy it.

And if you love Insight Timer as much as I do, listen to this track and journal with me: "The Guest House" By Rumi (Journaling Prompt)

The Guest House ~~ Rumi

This being human is a guest house.

Every morning a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness,

some momentary awareness comes

as an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all!

Even if they’re a crowd of sorrows,

who violently sweep your house

empty of its furniture,

still, treat each guest honorably.

He may be clearing you out

for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice,

meet them at the door laughing,

and invite them in.

Be grateful for whoever comes,

because each has been sent

as a guide from beyond.

Scripting

 I'm a huge fan of scripting, so I had to share this link!

3 things to do when scripting.

Insight Timer LIVE: Surrendering to Life's Calling with Dayana and Don

 Dayana Pereira and Don McAvinchey came together LIVE for a second time on Insight Timer (10/5/23) to have another conversation.  This time the topic was about "The Surrender Experiment", where Michael Singer says we can gradually give over our lives to what Spirit is calling us to do. It takes practice, and a commitment to see the difficult events in our lives as opportunities for letting go...

Click here to watch the replay. 

https://youtu.be/2DwBaPTEU7w

Click below to follow them on Insight Timer:

Dayana Pereira - https://insighttimer.com/dayana

Don McAvinchey - https://insighttimer.com/donmcavinchey 

And while you're there, please follow me as well!

Insight Timer LIVE: Going With the Spirit - A Flowing Conversation with Dayana and Don

Dayana Pereira and Don McAvinchey came together LIVE on Insight Timer (9/23/23) to have a conversation on what it's like to flow with their sense of Spirit. These two dynamic teachers shared their inspiration and hearts around their experience and called on the Insight Timer community to share as well.

Click here to watch the replay. 

https://youtu.be/haXjP_SlRK0

As everyone knows by now, I'm a HUGE fan of Insight Timer because of amazing teachers like these two!

Click below to follow them on Insight Timer:

Dayana Pereira - https://insighttimer.com/dayana

Don McAvinchey - https://insighttimer.com/donmcavinchey 

And while you're there, please follow me as well!

My new rescued baby who rescued me...

When my pup, Barney, was getting ready to crossover, I was so distraught that I was sure I'd never adopt another dog.  The pain felt unbearable, and I thought WHY would anyone choose to go through all this.

Then I spoke to a friend who has had rescues for years and he told me he always looks at it this way -- if he can give another pup a chance at a good life in a loving home, it's worth it.

He's right...

So, I started looking for another pup to rescue and found this amazing rescue:

And now, 2 months after losing Barney, I have another sweet pup to love... Onyx...

He's a joy!  Sweet and so smart and I'm thrilled to have him in my life!  I still miss my Barney, but I know he sent me Onyx and that he's happy that a new pup will have the good life that he had too!

And I met an amazing woman who has been saving these beautiful babies for 13 years.  As a side note, I bought a few products from an affiliate link that donates to her cause.  My order arrived right away, and I love them!  I've been getting eaten alive by mosquitos this year and one of the things I bought is called "melagel" and has been a lifesaver in stopping the itch!  I also love that all the products are made with good ingredients.  I've been doing my best to avoid harsh chemicals and these products are just what I needed!

So if you want to help support these beautiful babies too, check out these products!

Because who doesn't love PUPPIES and GREAT products that support PUPPIES!  Onyx and his siblings thank you and send you many puppy kisses! 💜🥰

Looking through some old photos and of course my Barney pops up.  

Most days I'm OK, but it hits me, when I see his pictures, how much I miss him.  Such a funny little guy.  I knew he couldn't be with me forever, but I tried not to think about it and even now I try not to think about him being gone.

I cried a lot those first couple of weeks, but I feel him with me all the time and that comforts me.  I keep asking him to send me another rescue to love and I know he will.

I got an email today that I was approved to adopt from a local shelter and we're heading there on Saturday to meet the pups.  One or two caught my eye.  I'm excited and anxious at the same time.  

Sometimes I wonder if Tim is right and we should enjoy traveling without worrying about pets, but we still have Simon, and I can't imagine my life without dogs anymore.  Funny that for over 30 years I had no pets and didn't even think about it but having had these two rescues for almost 9 years, I can't imagine life without them.

So maybe this weekend I will meet my next furry love, and if not, in time I will.  He or she is out there waiting for a good home, and I have that as well as plenty of love to give. 💜 No one will ever take the place of my sweet Barney, but thanks to him, I learned the joy of loving animals and I am forever grateful. 💜

11 Days

I can't believe it's been 11 days since I said goodbye to my sweet boy.  Some days I feel ok and then I look for my shadow and he's not here anymore, no longer at my feet while I work, under my desk, following me to the kitchen, waiting for me to share a snack. That absence has left such a hole in my heart... 💔

Sweet pup, he taught me so much in the almost 9 years that I was lucky enough to have him in my life.  I didn't even know how much I wanted a dog until I adopted him and his brother, who were almost 5 at the time.  Simon is OK, sometimes he seems to be looking for Barney, but it's hard to tell.

I had no idea our time together would be so short, but it was worth every second, even during the last few months of giving him pills and running to the Vet and trying to get him better.  I would do it all again in a second and someday I will adopt another sweet puppy, once this ache has healed.  Maybe in the Fall. I know there are other babies out there waiting for a loving home and I know that Barney would be happy to have me share the love I gave to him with someone else who needs it the way he did 9 years ago.

The Vet dropped off his ashes on Thursday. I had gone an entire day without crying and the site of his little box filled with his ashes, his little nose print and paw print and the little bottle with his hair had me crying all over again.

I know it will take time for that emptiness to go away. There will never be another one like you, my sweet boy, but there will be others to love too. ❤ My heart will go on. 💜😔