He basically adopted me. This was years ago, but the moment is still vividly clear in my mind.
I was on my way to see a movie and had stopped into a pet store to pick up food pellets for my stepson’s newly acquired fish. Seemingly out of nowhere, a little bundle of cuteness came bounding up to me.
As I knelt down to give his ears a little rub, while simultaneously peeking around the store for the fish food, the 3-month-old pup would not be ignored. There was an adoption event at the store that day, and evidently my plans for the movies would be put on hold.
This was the beginning of a 14-year love affair with a shepherd/chow mix I eventually named Braxton.
Fast forward through so much change: a wedding, my first house, several different jobs, my eventual divorce, and a move back across the country to my home state of California.
The only constant in my life through all of those changes was that pup. With apologies to my therapist friends, I was all in for my co-dependence on that sweet soul.
When he died, I couldn’t eat, sleep, work…even move. His passing brought me to my knees with rivers of tears streaming from my eyes.
There is something that happens in our most vulnerable moments that can crack us wide open.
Our guest on the podcast this week, Oneika Mays, had just such an event. In her case, it didn’t involve a 4-legged friend, but the wise words of a yoga teacher.
She found herself on a yoga mat in the middle of Manhattan, a bit unsure what to do with her life, sobbing.
Since that moment, Oneika has given up her corporate retail career and now offers yoga, meditation, and mindfulness workshops to the public and at Rikers Island Prison. She is a social activist and an all-around amazing person.
Listen in to hear about Oneika’s amazing journey and consider your own vulnerability. https://lnkd.in/gGHUEgbD
What wisdom can your vulnerability bring to you?
My own crack-open moment was the beginning of a lot of soul-searching and a significant career change. I encourage you to pay attention – our “teachers” come in all forms, and there are whispers of wisdom to help guide us everywhere.
