Pumpkins, Pigs and Perspective

Today on a beautiful New England autumn day, with the crisp air, a slight breeze, abundant sunshine, and the leaves on the trees bursting with color, I had the pleasure to go to a local farm to pick pumpkins.  I was all set to enjoy some apple cider and cookies while I looked for the perfect accompaniment to our fall decorations.

However, as we entered the farm I was surprised to see an enclosure with three pigs in it.  There were no other animals around so this seemed out of place to me.  As I dallied, one pig came right up to the fence and stared directly in my eyes as if to say "Hey look at me!"  So I did.  I stood there watching the three pigs eat, burrow in the ground rooting around for food, and snuggle together in the mud.  They were really very cute and very content just lying in the mud.

Suddenly a young boy and his dad came up to watch the pigs.  "They're really very dirty huh?" the boy said.  "Yes they are," the dad replied unimpressed as they walked away.

I was struck by their perspective and dismissive attitudes. Dirty?  Why of course they are dirty.  They are staying comfortable and cool lying in the mud.  No one is helping them or paying attention to them.  No one cleans their enclosure or bathes and grooms them.  Most domesticated animals would be very dirty if humans didn't care for and pay attention to them. The pig is no exception.

And then I was struck by another thought.  Isn't it that way with our dreams and desires?  The ones we care for and pay attention to are the ones that flourish.  The dreams and desires we set as our intentions and put our energy behind are the ones that we manifest.  The ones that we leave alone to wallow in the mud of our busy lives, seem to get stuck in that same proverbial mud.  Just like the pigs who without care and attention are content to burrow down in the mud and snuggle in there, our dreams and desires without our focused intentions set on them, are content to snuggle in the comfortable busyness of our lives.

It is not until we are willing to become uncomfortable and put our dreams and desires in focus, that we can manifest them.  The message of the pig is the same as the wild boar.  Interestingly the boar is the warrior spirit and can help you get in touch with your inner primal power.  As a pig burrows, so you need to burrow deep inside and find your power, and uproot your determination to manifest your dreams and desires.  It will take your focused intention to manifest your dreams, but with your care and attention, you will release them from the busyness of your life and you and your dreams will soar.

For info on my book God is in the Little Things; Messages from the Animals please visit http://godisinthelittlethings.com