Day 9 "Notice the way you walk"

Today I was asked to concentrate on the way I walk. To try to imagine myself as other animals would see me, to take a look through their eyes. How do I sit? How do I stand? After I felt I got myself in tune with my natural walk, and how I looked to others, it was time for me to become an Owl. I thought that was kinda of funny and may get some weird looks from my roommates but I was asked to pick a spot and perch like an owl. I chose a chair in the corner of the house which I considered to be "dead space", a place where not a lot of people look. It took me awhile to get into the mode of an owl, but once I let myself relax I tried to observe things like an owl would. I tried to notice the room as whole, zooming my eyes all the way out and than tried to focus on one thing in full detail. It was an interesting experience to say the least.

Evening Reflection: Giving thanks to the moon

Reading in Kamana tonight says that the Iroquois people say the Moon "holds hands with all of the waters, pulling tides in their daily and monthly cycles". Tonight was the first night I made a bonfire outside in my back yard. I could not see the moon tonight because of the passing clouds but it is always there. One of the most thankful moments I have ever had with the Moon is laying on the beach in Hatteras, NC. Every night we make a bonfire on the beach and sit back to look at the stars. The moon is so clear and dances on the ocean waters. I have never felt so completely whole as I do when I'm looking up a the moon on those beaches. It seems everything is in place.

Tonight I practiced "Fox Walking"

The whole idea is to relax, and step as if you are about to place your foot on something sharp, not allowing all of your weight go down on your foot. You do not step far from your other foot, but keep them aligned, every move is careful and gentle. The whole idea is to be able to walk with complete silence. The walking exercise really helped me with getting in tune for the fox walk. Each step I imagined a had eyes on the bottom of my foot that made sure nothing was underneath my next move. I think fox moving is on of the most fun skills to practice. I have never really thought about the way I walk in the world other than today, and now I feel more aware of it. Its fun to challenge yourself and really get in tune with how others move in the world. While I was fox walking in my backyard tonight, I noticed a possum scurrying through the leaves. I wondered why a possum walked so loudly and didn't move as stealthy as a fox? It was fun to compare my fox like foot steps with the messy, scurrying foot steps of the possum.