“We are always on our guard against contagious diseases of the body, but we are exasperatingly careless when it comes to the even more dangerous collective diseases of the mind.”
~ Carl Jung
Here is a simple test to see where you are in your life. Ask yourself what is your favorite animal and why is it your favorite animal? STOP! Before reading on and answering the question, let me tell you about two of my patients. The first was a depressed, unhappy woman who I wanted to help realize she was worth something, but I wasn’t getting anywhere, so I asked her the above question. Her answer took me by surprise—she said, “I hate pets and killed my canary.” Boy did I have my work cut out for me. I still believed in the question, though, so I asked a second patient, a young woman who told me she was at my workshop to decide whether to commit suicide or not. I stopped and asked her the favorite animal question. Her answer was “an eagle” and then went on to describe this beautiful bird soaring through the sky. She looked at me and said, “I am not going to commit suicide.”
Yes folks, which animal you pick is not the issue, but how you describe what you like about it is, because you are talking about yourself. I love chipmunks—they are cute and all over the place. And when you think about it, the animals know the way. They use all their senses and find their way to food or home. We are busy thinking about which is the right or shortest way, and losing our way because our inner wisdom is locked up in our treasure chest and cannot communicate with us. So be open to what your heart is telling you from within your treasure chest and become the creature you admire and love. Self-love is necessary in order for you to be able to love others too.
Remember, a goat has no problem raising a tiger. The tiger, however, has to realize he is a tiger when he grows up, and he does that with a quiet mind by looking into the still pond. Then he gives up his vegetarian way of life and becomes himself, the tiger. And I may add, feel free to growl when it is appropriate to protect your life.
Peace, Love & Healing,
Bernie