January 6, 2013

Today I went to Magic’s dog training class.  I have mixed feelings constantly about the instructors there, but they do spark some new thoughts and lessons.

Today there was great emphasis on letting Magic learn the rules of the game.

I had a hoop.  And the idea was to hold the hoop and treat him when he offered me a behavior that had to do with that hoop.

To not interfere or direct him in any way (not to “lure” him with treats or verbal messages) to walk through the hoop or something related.  You’re just supposed to stand there (like an idiot), hold the hoop and let him figure it out on his own.

We did this exercise once before and I hated it.  Magic would look at the other dogs and look at me and not do diddily with the hoop.  Other dogs were walk through the hoop and jumping through it.  Magic and I were bored.  Sitting there, staring at other people.

I got impatient and started luring him through the hoop.  I wanted him to perform. 🙂  The trainer wasn’t happy with me about this.

“He needs to learn the rules of the game.  He needs to learn how to think.  He does this by you giving him time and not luring him.  He needs to figure it out on his own”

This has been frustrating to me.  A hard lesson, possibly.

I’m going to practice with him in the quiet – non-distracting environment of home this week… but there’s a real life lesson here.

And yes, this goes under the category of learning lessons through play, ease and grace…

I tend to explain things to people.  Over-explain and over-communicate.  They don’t get something… they don’t intuit something…. they are acting in a way that is hurting me (this had to do with my ex over and over again) – and I would spend loads of time and energy, my life force, telling them what is going on.  Explaining myself.

This has shown its face with my career.  Over-explaining that people should schedule a session rather than email me their long questions.  Over-explaining or feeling bad, about emailing people that rather than replying to them via Facebook or again, emails I receive through my website.

Whereas, the way people learn “the rules of the game” is by sometimes, many times, simply refraining from action.

For example, many spiritual teachers or experts simply don’t reply to emails with questions, etc that they receive from their website and/or Facebook.  The message then becomes clear that in order to get personal attention from this person is to sign up for one of their programs or a session.

There are so many things I can apply this lesson to, I’m just sharing this one.

But I’m going to try to apply this.  The bottom line here, the main lesson I’m taking from this…

Everything does not need to be explained to someone.  There are non-verbal ways of communicating.  Sometimes, many times, it’s good enough to simply not verbally reply or tell someone what to do… and let the non-reply be the way they are figuring it out for themselves.  The way they are learning the rules of the game.

When I left dog training class… and on my way down there… these numbers kept on appearing… again.

888 — A phase of your life is about to end, and this is a sign to give you forewarning to prepare. This number sequence may mean you are winding up an emotional career or relationship phase. It also means there is light at the end of the tunnel. In addition it means, The crops are ripe. Don’t wait to pick and enjoy them. In other words, don’t procrastinate in making your move or enjoying the fruits of your labor.

222 — Have faith. Everything’s going to be all right. Don’t worry about anything, as this situation is resolving itself beautifully for everyone involved.

444 — Thousands of angels surround you at this moment, loving and supporting you. You have a very strong and clear connection with the angelic realm, and are an Earth angel yourself. You have nothing to fear—all is well.

And then I got home and there were many storks there to share their message with me…

Stork: Birth, Unspoken Communication

Stork is one of the most ancient and powerful symbols of birth. It reflects a connection to emotions and the creation sybology of Water.  Stork can help us understand our emotions.  It is sacred to the goddess Juno, who oversees home, children and family. It is good luck to have a stork totem. Stork is linked to the mysteries of sacred dance. This dance can awaken primal forces and energies. Call on stork when you begin a new project, new relationship or new job.  When you see a Stork, ask yourself if you need to go back to basics?  Have you lost touch with your family roots?  Are you taking time of birth the projects within your life?

Source: http://www.linsdomain.com/totems-s.htm

I do believe that their message to me was re-affirming what I had just learned in dog training class.  Unspoken communication.  Letting your message get across by NOT verbally speaking it.

This is a newer way of communicating for me.  Of course I knew about it but somehow I got into this zone of explaining and talking about everything, so everyone was on the same page.

I also see the STORK representing new birth for me.  When I was watching the storks, I was saying to Spirit, thank you for the new birth and at the same time asking… what’s the new birth in my life?

🙂

We’ll see…