Oh, you TURKEY!

They're in my yard as I write this. I see two of them through my kitchen window, pecking the ground in the rain.

A few years ago, I noticed what looked like a wave of brown movement - some sort of animal family?- casually sauntering over the hill in my vast yard. I went out on my porch to investigate.

TURKEYS! And not just a few. There were EIGHTEEN of them at that time! A Mom, a Pop, and sixteen little ones.

They've been showing up for me ever since. Ted Andrews, author of Animal Speak: The Spiritual & Magical Powers of Creatures Great & Small, says, "Those who have a turkey as a totem can usually expect a year of harvest."

It's TOTALLY safe to say that I have turkey as one of my many totems.

I could hardly believe this encounter and photo opportunity this past April:

"Those who have a turkey as a totem can usually expect a year of harvest." I DO have turkey as a totem. And I am OPEN to receiving a year (and MORE) of harvest.

What's YOUR animal totem? (Or totems...I have many). What animals fill you with delight? Give you a sense of awe and wonder? Be open and curious about this - for me, this connection to animals has been a pathway to my authentic self.

the heron...and my internal compass

I pray to never stop gasping out loud in awe and wonder at the sight of a great blue heron. One just flew over my home on the way to the river. And for this I am grateful. So thank you!

A dear (or deer) friend recently described her spiritual process to me: "What we're really doing here, Liz, is learning to follow our own inner guidance system."

Come again?

As much of a stretch as it is for me to practice this internal listening, I'm doing it. I'm showing up for myself, with a little (a LOT) of help from the heron, who shows up consistently in my life as a reminder.

And what I'm finding is quite beautiful indeed: that this internal compass is sacred. Is divine, is God.

Silverwood Park surprise