How To Listen For Spiritual Messages - Part Three: The Message of the Deer

Moving away from my home and friends this past year brought all the feelings of anxiety, stress, and fear that one would expect from such a move. Seeing the deer appear through the trees, and then walking right up to my back door, was amazing and wonderful. Reading the messages of the deer was even better. See for yourself.

According to Animal Speak by Ted Andrews, the deer has been signaling the lure of a new adventure.

Well, moving to a new place was surely an adventure. But the deer didn't show up immediately when I moved. It was two or three months later and then I didn't see one until late August when I took a different path through the woods. Then one walked out of the woods and up to my back door and since then I see them nearly everyday.

"A gentle enticing lure of a new adventure... When the deer show up, there is an opportunity to express gentle love that will open new doors to adventure for you."

This past few months, it hasn't just been one door. It has been doors that have opened up for me. One was having the opportunity to work with kids with autism at a theater academy in August. I shared the joy of that adventure in my blog,Trying To Catch the Wind.

Then starting at the end of August I have been given the opportunity to teach a class at a local college. I work with adult students who are seeking teaching certification. This class required that I visit each adult two times to observe them teaching one or more students with disabilities.

Have you ever had a feeling that when you walk into a place, it gives you a sense of calm and peace - like you have just gone home again? Well, this was the feeling that I got being in each of these schools, with each of these teachers, and the wonderful, wonderful kids.

Giving me "the opportunity to express Gentle Love"

What I have learned from this experience is that 1) I just simply love kids and the act of learning, 2) I never appreciated, nearly enough, all that my previous school district offered, and finally 3) I realize that this is something that I can do to give back. I'm actually pretty good at it too!

And the opportunities just continue. Today, I joined my daughter and a group of young girls for a 5K run. I wanted to be involved somehow so I volunteered at the food table. The group of girls had been practicing with my daughter for weeks - sometimes coming and sometimes not but today they were all there. One of the girls walked the race. She said that her dad thinks she's too fat to run a race! But there she was...she was there to show him that she could do it. She had the biggest smile on her face when I took a picture of her with her very first medal! I was so glad that I was there to see her strength and determination! And I was so proud of my daughter for knowing the importance of giving her time and love to this group of girls.

Another book entitled "Animal Spirit Guides" by Steven Farmer, suggests that I have

"...just come from "aggressive, negative circumstances and I need to seek out safe, nurturing situations and people."

I moved away from my home for a reason. Yes, I wanted to be closer to my daughters but I also wanted to remove myself from that "aggressive, negative circumstance".

It is important that people know that not all aggression is physical. Don't jump to this conclusion. In fact, I have now left two marriages and upon leaving each situation, the "aggressor" said "What did I ever do to you? I never hit you did I?" And with that statement, they were each right. But, aggression can also take other forms: intimidation, mental harassment, and attempts to control.

I needed this message from the deer. I am learning that I'm the kind of person who finds it hard to speak up when someone is being "aggressive". I tend to think that for some reason either I deserve the "aggression" because I probably did something to cause it or I try to please the other person so that they continue to love me. So, now knowing this about myself, I need to just listen to the deer:

"Seek safe and nurturing situations and people."

I plan to do just that.

If it's a white-tailed deer, you are heading into a time of plenty, but the path to get there has not been without sacrifices."

And so it is. The sacrifices have been great. Leaving the place that I called home was not easy. Leaving behind a house and settling for a small apartment, leaving behind the "good furniture" and accepting the basement set because it was what would fit in the smaller living room means that there were definitely sacrifices. But, I have learned that I do, indeed, have plenty!

You're poised for an enticing adventure, one that will take you down many different paths, and lead to many important insights."

The deer have become part of a daily message to me. I will focus on the word "enticing". That should keep the thought of additional adventures from being fearful. And I will work to take paths that lead me to important insights. To date, the greatest insights that I seem to have found are the books by Ted Andrews and Steven Farmer allowing me to contemplate the messages that are abundant and all around me.

I am thankful for the opportunity to see and believe that I am not alone. I have been placed here for a reason - in this life and now in this place. I will try to honor it with acceptance and love. But more than that, I will strive to pay attention to the words that are out there intending to guide me as I make this journey. Life is such a miracle and a blessing!