The next morning, Milo woke refreshed from his slumber and set off to see Soul, who straight away asked, “How do you feel today?” Milo replied confidently, “I feel different. With a new sense of trust and a sense of relaxation. “Yes, that is exactly how I felt, on discovering trust within myself.
So onto the next adventure on my journey. I decided to journey upstream and just see what the day would bring, trusting that whatever happened, would be for the best. I actually enjoyed spending the day in the present moment, instead of thinking and imagining what would happen in the future as I was usually accustomed to do. It was late afternoon when I saw an unusual sight. I saw a water vole on the river bank, with her paw on her heart, looking into the river.
I was curious, so I stopped and told her I was very interested to know what she was doing.”
She replied, “I have only just recently discovered this, but it is having a profound effect on how I am feeling. Would you like me to tell you about the story, which I heard, that inspired me to do this?” “Yes, I’d love to hear it. “My name is Hermia and not too long ago, I met a water vole, named Hermia, who told me she was swimming in a river far from this one, when she the extraordinary site of a deer near the river, precariously balancing pots on a branch, over her neck. The deer, whose name was Isa (pronounced
‘Eesa’) approached the river bank and asked if I wouldn’t mind filling up the pots for her and rebalancing them on her neck. I answered, “Of course, I’d be very happy to help but may I ask why are you doing this?”
She told him about a pond not far away which was drying up, because of the drought. It was a special place because it was where she passed on her knowledge and insights to help those in need that came to the pond. I was curious to know more about this knowledge, Isa, the deer, stated, “The single, biggest problem for all of the individuals coming to the pond is not feeling ‘good enough’ about themselves. It affects every aspect of their lives. I give them a very simple way to change how they feel. I asked them to look at their reflection put their hands on their hearts and choose to like themselves. Then later, feel love for themselves. It sounds easy, but for those with low self-worth this is one of the hardest things to do. But it is the most important thing you can do for yourself. I give them statements, which they can say aloud or say to themselves in their own minds. Things they would never think of saying to themselves… ‘I deserve to love myself’….’I deserve to be loved’….’I accept myself just as I am’. Doing this simple exercise can totally transform your life, especially if you have low self-worth. Hermia, on her travels, passed this message onto me. This was only two full moons ago and every day I keep repeating statements, while looking at my reflection, my paw on my heart. That’s what you just caught sight of me doing now. I have already noticed dramatic changes.
One day, when I was young, I made a fateful trip with my mother. I saw something in the foliage and went to investigate. A short while later I returned to my mother, but she was gone. She had just disappeared. I never saw her again. Now I know that it was probably a fox, but I still can’t be sure exactly what happened. I was left abandoned and have felt that sense of abandon my whole life and with it a tremendous sense of low self-worth. I felt I did not deserve, what others seemed naturally to have. The effect on my relationships has been devastating. I’ve been badly treated, been taken advantage of felt, felt dependent and continually tried to please others. Doing this exercise has already helped me. I’m beginning to feel for the first time, that I deserve better.
In fact, I have just changed my name. I was called Hoppy, but I never really liked my name so I’ve decided to change it to Hope, which I think far better reflects how I now feel.
I listened to this lovely story of ‘Hope’. I realised that at the heart of everything I had been doing doing was improving how I felt about myself, my self-worth. I also realised that I could really help Hope. I had so much knowledge to share with her, which would make it easier for her to discover her self-worth. I spent the next few days relating my story to Hope, who was absolutely delighted to have all these extra ideas and insights to help her on her journey of self-worth discovery. I also felt wonderful being able to help her.
When we parted we hugged each other tightly, for we both had experienced a lovely and transformative few days, being able to safely share our vulnerabilities and really helping each other, albeit in vastly different ways.
On my way home I mulled over the story about the deer and the pots and the influence of self-worth on our lives. It struck me that if our self-worth and self love was low rather than high it would be difficult to feel comfortable receiving a tremendous amount of love over a long period of time. I wondered if this is what happened to Blissy and me. Even though our self worth was much better than when we were younger we both had a lot of healing to do in this area. Maybe this played a part in our parting as we did not value ourselves enough to feel we deserved to receive the boundless love we were giving each other.
On the way back I pondered the idea of what we attract based on how we feel about ourselves and how we are connected a spiritual level, because I felt an unbelievably strong,spiritual connection with Blissy.
I wanted to know more more so I asked for guidance and trusted that I would receive it. Soon after I asked, Truly popped into my mind and I felt a strong feeling that she would know the answer.
I thought my best chance of finding her was to return to where we met. It was a fair distance away, so I quickened my pace in my eagerness to see her and receive her guidance again.
A day later I arrived and I was not surprised to find that she was there waiting for me. “Hello Soul, I knew you you’d be coming to see me.
I told her about my spiritual musings, and that I would like to know where to go to find out more.
On the way back I pondered the idea of what we attract based on how we feel about ourselves and how we are connected a spiritual level, because I felt an unbelievably strong,spiritual connection with Blissy.
I wanted to know more more so I asked for guidance and trusted that I would receive it. Soon after I asked, Truly popped into my mind and I felt a strong feeling that she would know the answer.
I thought my best chance of finding her was to return to where we met. It was a fair distance away, so I quickened my pace in my eagerness to see her and receive her guidance again.
A day later I arrived and I was not surprised to find that she was there waiting for me. “Hello Soul, I knew you’d be coming to see me.
I told her about my spiritual musings, and that I would like to know where to go to find out more.
Instantly as if knowing my question, Truly replied “There are two very spiritual water voles, that I know who will be able to answer your questions. They are called Charm and Love. They live on another river in a very spiritual place. It will take you a few days to travel there, so I’ll give you a very simple, easy route to follow.”
I thanked Truly and told her that I knew she would able to help me. I particularly remember her parting words, “Remember when I told you if I promised to look out for you but you couldn’t see me that didn’t mean that I wasn’t looking out for you. All you had to do was Trust. Soul that wasn’t just you a story I created for you. I am always there for you. All you need to do is trust in the way that you just have.
As I made my way home I realised that Truly was a spiritual guide. I thought all the synchronicities and serendipitous events on my journey. Life was amazing! Now I would have the opportunity to discover even more about these things.
That’s so comforting to know that you have Truly as a guide, Soul. Remember when I told you about our ‘Over the bridge’ journey, I now realise that the chiffchaff, Trudy was Daisy’s guide. That’s also a bit of a coincidence, Truly and Trudy, very similar names, in fact very similar birds.
Anyway I am also lucky to have a guide. You Soul are my amazing guide!
Thank you Milo. I think you’ll really enjoy what I have to tell you about ‘Charm’ and ‘Love’.