After years of walking in the Australian bush, yesterday I had a close encounter with a snake. A shiny, long, thin snake that meandered across the path in front of me. I, who was totally oblivious and daydreaming, working out what I was going to do next in my business, what I had to do today, how good it was to be walking in the sun. I was literally miles away in my own little world, when SUDDENLY; a threat had appeared out of no-where. I had no prior anxiety; I was too busy musing about life until my dog started becoming very curious about a slow moving object, which also had the potential to inflict serious injury!!
I have always thought about encountering snakes, and usually am a little nervous at this time of year, walking in the bush, they are after all a part of Australia but what was amazing to me about this encounter, was I wasn’t even thinking about snakes, had no preconception of danger or threat and it appeared out of nowhere. I was incredibly unsettled for the remainder of my walk, looking for them everywhere, it was not pleasant.
This brush with Australia’s wildlife made me think of the commonalities between snakes and life.
Lesson 1: We live our lives in a bubble, a bubble of day to day life and generally the status quo. That can change in an instant; it could be an encounter with a snake, or a tragic accident. Life is never still, life can often be totally unexpected.
Lesson 2: After our lives have been turned upside down by trauma, whether it is a threat from a snake or severe trauma such as illness or loss, we become vulnerable and life becomes a place which is no longer predictable or safe.
Lesson 3: We never know what is ahead of us. Today two friends told me of a close connection to two separate accidents where loved ones had died. Life is incredibly tenuous; it can be whisked away in a second.
Until next time
Maureen
http://www.esdeer.com.au/
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