Spiritual lessons come our way in every shape and form daily, if we take a moment to reflect on what is being presented instead of going into the automatic pilot of habitual reactions.
Lately Spirit has been showing me a karmic habit of mine I wasn’t aware of. This karmic pattern has deep roots in the family tree on my mother’s side.
This is the story of a spiritual opportunity or, as I often call it, a spiritual set up that happened to me recently. My little Chihuahua, Georgy, has been banned from doggie day care because he attacked a dog and after the incident I was asked to keep him on a muzzle. I tried putting a muzzle on him and each time he took it off within seconds. I felt the same way about a muzzle as he did so I decided to look for a reliable pet sitter to watch him while I am at work instead.
Yesterday I had scheduled an appointment at the library’s grounds with an older lady who does pet sitting. We had agreed to meet at 9:00 am and the library is behind my apartment building. She told me exactly where we would meet and I assumed that she meant the area next to the library where there is a beautiful Irises garden. So, Georgy and I walked from the apartment over to the garden ten minutes prior to the time. We waited and waited. 9 am came and went
“It is 9:05 am. Where is this woman?” my mind began to wander.
“People have no sense of responsibility these days!” the chatter continued in a frustrating crescendo.
“The least she could have done is let me know she was going to be late or not show up!” I could feel the entitlement coming in louder and stronger.
“Well, calm down now, people can be a little late. Things come up sometime. Just give her a chance.” A softer voice interjected.
“I am going to give her fifteen minutes and if she doesn’t show I am leaving!” My righteous mind rebuked. I decided to write her a message letting her know I was waiting for her at the agreed upon spot.
A neighbor walked by with her dog and said hello and asked me what I was doing. I was ready to unleash upon her my frustration and have someone agree with me about how flaky people are these days. That would have made me feel good about the situation and would have given control back to me.
“I am waiting for someone I am supposed to meet here.” I said.
As soon as I was ready to tell my side of the story, I noticed an elderly woman calmly walking along the sidewalk towards us from the opposite side of the library.
“I guess she is here now.” I said as I walked up to her.
She smiled and very gently said that she had been waiting at the other side of the library just like she had written to me she would. She said she had received my message, saw me and came over instead.
She was nice, friendly and not at all judgmental about the mishap. She said she didn’t know there was such a beautiful Iris garden on this side of the library and she was glad to see it.
All my righteousness and judgment melted away in an instant as I recognized that the one on the “wrong” side was me and not her. So I apologized for assuming that she would be where the Irises were. She smiled and proceeded to meet Georgy who immediately loved her and wanted her to pick him up.
Yesterday morning I got more than a pet sitter, I received a very direct and loving lesson from Spirit and a warning that assuming I am right and correct may not be the case and even if it would be the case there are kinder ways of dealing with life’s curve balls instead of immediately going to war and assuming the worst of others. I have been contemplating on this pattern and realizing how deeply ingrained it is in my consciousness.
I am grateful and very much humbled by the whole experience. I have to admit that this is not my first experience where my first and automatic inclination is to criticize and make others at fault. I am sure that there will be plenty more situations coming my way to continue to show me my karmic weakness and give me a fresh opportunity to change my response to a more balanced and neutral one.
Can anyone else out there relate?
Much love to all!
The Road Home 