PEACE AND UNDERSTANDING
I randomly wound up in Baraboo, Wisconsin and was given a recommendation to check out Devil’s Lake. Little did I know I would be in the town where the Ringling Brother’s circus started which brought up SO many emotions. I have, for the past few years, despised what the circus has done to exploit humans and animals. I took a deep breath and walked into the facility that STILL holds circus acts with animals. I sent love to the space and looked around at so much history. I am trying, on this journey, to see things with clarity and a 360º view. I do have an issue with training, into submission, wild animals for our benefit but hating the circus does me no good. It only brings me anger and I released my hatred and moved on to meet some amazing people and entrepreneurs in this little town called Baraboo. I had one of the best vegan meals here and the conscious community is thriving in an amazing way. When in anger, where can we find more peace and understanding?
SPREADING LOVE
I just finished listening to The Untethered Soul for the second time since beginning my road trip. It made me think about dogs and love. I mean, DOG spelled backwards is GOD. I call the essence of God, “Spirit” and to me it means embracing love with our whole essence and being. I watch Louie, my little brown Chihuahua, naturally spread love everywhere we go. Every stop, every person, every being that walks by he wants to say “Hi” and show them love. Can we as humans do this as well? We can if we connect to the essence of God within us all, our divine spirit.
Disconnecting from the chatter in my head and watching my mind from an outside view makes all the difference with having “monkey brain.” Approaching life with love and not fearing death can change so much in one’s own life.
BEING CONSCIOUS TO THE SIGNS AROUND US TAKES WORK
Mindfulness
I am in a little town called Kanab where a large animal sanctuary abides named Best Friend’s Animal Society. I will say, that after volunteering with city shelters, these rescue places I have stopped at are a breeze, comparatively, to volunteer. I am grateful to these places that allow animals to live in great conditions, but also long for our city shelters to get more of the help they need. The differences are drastic.
I am amazed though when chatting with locals how it does not rub off on them to be close to the best source to adopt. I met a lady with a local cafe 1 minute from the facility that had two designer, purchased dogs and another teenager whose dad does maintenance at the sanctuary, but has litters being born every year due to not spaying or neutering their own personal dog. Ugh. Sometimes this makes me want to give up and no longer fight the fight if those closest to this place can’t even follow the signs RIGHT in front of them to keep our animals at their best. Fascinating to me, yet must keep educating and being an example. Until our laws change AND are enforced, we will never be able to save them all. That is the realistic truth and WE must in life get to the source for change, not bandage it.