I read a beautiful post in the community from @Americo Da Costa, and it inspired me to do our very first 2-part Empowering Animals challenge! 💛 I know... so ambitious of me! 😂 I've said for years we can learn a thing or twelve about unconditional love from animals, so that's the challenge. Are you ready to give Part One a go? Buckle up, my buttercups... The next time you see someone you love, whether it’s when they walk through the door or you meet them somewhere, greet them the way your animal companions greet you. No holding back. No filtering it down. Let it fly. 😁 Greet them with what you think your companions are saying when they see you. “I missed you so much!” “I’ve been waiting all day for you to come home.” “I’m so excited you’re here!” “Let’s do something together, just me and you.” “Let’s go for a walk!” “Let’s get something to eat!” "Let me tell you about the wonderful day I had while I waited to see your face again!" …or whatever you feel in that moment. Just let it be real. When you complete the challenge, come back and share your experience of unconditional love with the community. There’s no time limit, and no limit to how many times you try it out. Now go feel what it’s like to be deeply connected to your soul 💛

Good morning everyone. https://youtube.com/shorts/MBU0hKryg_U?si=uTRW0HCuJ3fAL-wQ

There was a story I read today on Good News Network about a young girl who found an axolotl under a bridge in South Wales while she and her family were on vacation. She was learning about these fascinating and endangered creatures when she stumbled across this lone axolotl. She told her mother, but her mother did not believe she found an axolotl because they are from Mexico. She was instructed not to go back in the water, and luckily, she didn't listen and did it anyway. She was able to find the axolotl, catch, and bring them to safety. I felt so thankful for this young girl's heart when I read that. More than likely this was a pet that had been let go in the wild. This baby would have eventually died of starvation or been eaten if it were not for the chance that these two came across each other. The family ended up cutting their vacation short to research how to properly care for this animal and get a proper enclosure set up. Now, this special axolotl is very loved, cared for, and is recovering nicely from some injuries sustained in the river from other animals trying to make a meal of them. This is a great example of why people need to research the responsibilities of bringing a life into their world, especially if they are exotic. Animals depend on us for proper nutrition, shelter, care and love, not just until the new wears off, but for the rest of their lives. Send some special appreciation vibes to this beautiful little girl and her family for making this axolotl's life a priority. Animals deserve this kind of love. So grateful for her. 💕

Yesterday I had my first real life meetup with another Skool community. I drove up to Vancouver, BC and met up with six incredible women. We spent the morning walking along the seawall near Granville Island, talking, laughing, and just enjoying being outside together. Along the way, I found myself completely pulled into the world around me. I am like the cliche "squirrel" when I see an animal. This wonder experience started on the drive up when I saw two crows in the city. One had just picked up a long, skinny twig, the kind that looks like it was made for nest building. It felt a little late in the season for that, but this is the Pacific Northwest, and things don’t always follow the rules. Later, walking along the water, I noticed a crow carrying something black and shiny. I couldn’t quite make it out at first. I kept thinking it was a rock. I did attempt to get closer to find out, but you can imagine how well that went for me. Then I saw another crow down on the rocky shoreline with the same thing, and this time I could see it clearly. It was a mussel. I stopped without even thinking about it, letting the group walk ahead. The mussel was sealed tight, and the crow was working it against the rocks, scraping and tapping, trying to find a way in. Then the crow wedged the shell into a crack between the rocks, hinge side up, and started working its beak into that tiny opening. I watched in awe as they worked their beak into the opening. Over and over, they pressed in, opening their beak like a pair of pliers before pulling back, adjusting, and trying again. Finally, they got just enough leverage that the shell started to break apart and the crow could get to the mussel inside. I didn’t take a video or a picture. I just stood there watching, completely caught up in how brilliant this bird was using their beak like a tool. Ingenious. And that alone would have been enough to keep my heart happy for the rest of the day but I then saw another crow tugging at what looked like stuffing from a cushion. I don’t know how something like that randomly ended up on the rocks, but there it was. The bird kept pulling and gathering the little kismet gift until it had a soft bundle it could carry off. Again, perfect nesting material.

Today I want to start the week by saying how much I appreciate all of you. For believing in me. For supporting me. For teaching me. For your patience, your ideas. And dare I say, for loving me. For all of that, I just want to say thank you. Wishing you a beautiful Monday as meaningful as what you’ve given here. Thank you 🤍