In
the predawn hours yesterday, as I felt her asserting herself into her usual
position and then listened as her breathing, slow and steady, signaled her
departure into her dreamworld, I allowed my own mind to follow. In a near-trance of comfortable drowsiness, I
received phrases which came at me in a series of imaginings…
Innocence
in Intimacy. Love Beyond Loving. Heart to Heart.
How
many times in our lives do we encounter another sentient being capable of this
simplest, and yet most profound nearness and openness?
In
little children we see the same innocence and beauty, totally void of guile or
ambiguity. We were children once… can’t
we rightfully expect to retain some share of this wonder? Or does the process of maturing into
adulthood cause us to squander the innocence we somehow seem to have lost?
I
remember the 1980s when author Leo Buscaglia, a PhD who ably personified his
nickname “Dr. Love,” made famous the practice of greeting others with ‘the hug.’
His book “Love” proclaims:
“It is not deeply philosophical nor
complicated. It is about daring to expose oneself. To be vulnerable and to give
without reservation or expectation.”
Reading
that, I can’t help thinking of the very same lesson my dog conveys as she
snuggles against me…
Innocence
in Intimacy. Love Beyond Loving. Heart to Heart.
It’s
a lesson for the ages. It’s not deeply
philosophical, nor is it complicated.
And it can come to life in each of us, starting today.
I just wanted to say that I especially enjoyed this blogpost, being the proud Mom of two very sweet "rescues," who both bring such joy, laughter, and fun to our lives as we interpret their behavior completely to our own liking. Even during the tough times, these little treasures can lighten anything.....and help us to remain open to anything others have to offer. Such amazing blessings! Who rescued who?
ReplyDeleteVery precious. As usual��
ReplyDeleteWhy is it that I love so much the people who show such love toward me? Conditional love? Interesting.
This makes me smile!
ReplyDeleteLoved this one, Alexis! My friend & I went to see Leo Buscaglia when he spoke in Sacramento once. We even got to hug him! He was a very special guy & he had a sense of humor, too. I will never forget him talking about how his whole big Italian family would put together a picnic lunch & go for a drive on the weekend. The car would inevitably break down & that is where they would decide to have their picnic lunch. That’s making lemonade out of lemons!! It must have overheated or something simple because they would always manage to get back home somehow.
ReplyDeleteHi I am truly enjoying your blog. You have a wonderful gift with words. I love them and am thankful you included me
ReplyDeleteThis is such a sweet and powerfully simple observation of love and nature. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThis was lovely and very moving. I am one of those touchy, feely, people. After our stretch and mobility class, I initiated the hug/ backrub. We line up, in a circle, arms around each other and then proceed to give each other back rubs; It isn't for everybody! But those of us who do participate, always sigh and exclaim: "Best part of the class."
ReplyDeleteAs I enjoy your intimate story and experience with Taco heart to heart ,I remember how I learned at Haven to be with other human beings ( not as cute as Taco) in quiet embrace, and feel truly connected in some kind of perfect way.......heart to heart. Quiet breath to breath. Another healing level of being. How beautiful that u have such a willing and consistent source of this intimate comfort.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy reading it, almost like having a personal "weekly sermon." Your latest Innerconnectedness and Heart to Heart were especially good. Our dog Rita sleeps part time with Sue and part time with me on recliner. She jumps into my lap and lays crosswise so I can hug her with both arms and hands. She will stay like that until she thinks I am sleeping and then she goes in with Sue on the big bed. I wake up later and she might be next to me on the couch with her butt or head touching me but not actually being on me. She is very loving.
ReplyDeleteThis is beautiful and holy.
ReplyDelete