Be Gentle With Yourself
I walk the woods nearly every day. The deer know me. We look each other in the eye and I say, “It’s ok. I am a good person.” And then they stand and wait while I take their picture. They are not afraid.
I walk carefully through their home, trying to be respectful of their surroundings. They, in turn, welcome me with that soft, gentle look.
In the books regarding the language of animals, it is said that the deer carry the message that we should be gentle with ourselves. I feel that sense when I look into their eyes. And as I walk on, I feel the message resonate through me. There is no reason for me to be hard on myself. I am just a humble being, here to carry out my life’s mission.
What Is My Mission?
Over time, I have wondered what exactly my mission was. Sometimes, I felt as though I was lost at sea, helping others survive. Is that my mission? If so, then I often felt inadequate. With each failed attempt to be the person someone wanted me to be, I feel a sense of guilt, frustration, and anger. I just want to do my life.
But, What Is My life?
And then, here I am greeted by the deer with this message to just be gentle with myself.
I take a deep breath and say, “Ok, ok. I hear you.” I will take it one step at a time. I don’t need to know the answers to everything right now. I can simply believe that things will happen as they are supposed to happen. I will believe that I am already living the life I was sent here to live.
For right now, I need to embrace this life and allow me to be.
Begin Again 