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Many beautiful gifts come along in such seemingly simple, ordinary moments. And it's often the youngest among us who have something extraordinary to share. During a visit with my family in Michigan several years ago, we all gathered outside after our holiday feast. Reminiscing and laughing about old family stories, we listened to the crickets as the evening settled in. Unexpectedly it started to rain. Instantly all the adults backed up against the walls of the house, seeking shelter beneath the rafters of the roof. My four-year-old niece, however, had other ideas. Without a moment's hesitation, Emily spread her arms wide-open and lifted her face toward the sky. Smiling and laughing, she skipped barefoot around the porch, singing and shouting with glee, “It's raining! It's raining! It's raining!”
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For Emily, the rain was cause for sweet celebration, a time to relish her connection with the natural wonders of life. She understood there was nothing to fear. She had no inclination to hide. Emily's rain dance was a striking contrast with the collection of aunts, uncles, parents and grandparents huddled against the walls, diligently avoiding contact with the gentle raindrops falling from the sky.
Witnessing Emily's unbridled delight, I wondered why I was ducking for cover. What was I hiding from? What was it that I feared? What shoulds and supposed-to's were ruling my behavior, inhibiting my own spontaneous play? It was clear that Emily was deeply connected with something much bigger than whatever was holding me back. Emily openly expressed who she was and how she felt, joining hands with the vibrant energies of life. She embodied freedom, passion, and joy.
Memories of this evening have come into my mind during the past several years - particularly when I find myself holding back, resisting the sweetness of life, hiding away from the possibility that all that is natural and loving can be openly felt and celebrated and shared. Emily invited me to lift my face to the sky, to welcome the nourishment raining down all around. She reminded me to celebrate the rhythms with the earth, to splash around in the puddles and wiggle my toes in the mud, to taste the deliciousness of life.
Emily's rain dance reminded me to play. To feel my joy. To thrive in my aliveness. To reach out with love to all that is. Emily's rain dance invited me to remember what lives deep in the heart of my soul.
Copyright © 2007 JoAnne Dodgson
JoAnne Dodgson is a healer, writer and teacher in ancient Peruvian medicine ways, KaTaSee, 'living in balance from the heart.' Her healing work with individuals and groups invites spiritual awakenings, self-empowerment, and rememberings of life purpose and passions. www.pathwaysforhealing.net |
