Life is a path full of small surprises.
For the first time in a long time, the weather was beautiful. It was so nice that I finally decided to go walk this path that is not too far from my home. Honestly, it had been several months since I had stepped a single foot on this path.
When I began to walk this path, I was alone. There was not a single soul in sight. The path was not how I remembered it. The last time I was there it was full of people walking their dogs and talking to one another. I put my earbuds in, put on my music, and started walking down the path. I was focused and determined to make it to the end.
While I was walking my attention kept being drawn to my feet. Every time I would look at my feet, I would see a snail. When I saw the first one, I thought to myself, oh wow look at that snail. Then I saw a second, then a third, by the 7th one I began to think the universe is trying to tell me something.
I am a firm believer that the universe speaks to us through symbolism. We have to be open to receiving the message. The universe was speaking to me and using animals to do it.
At that moment I turned my music down and paid attention to any thought that crossed my mind. At first, there was not much that came to mind. Then suddenly, I saw three cardinals sitting at the edge of that path.
Cardinals have always been a sign for me that I am not alone. I always know when I am in the flow of receiving messages when I see them.
About that time something caught my eye, I looked up into the tree line and saw this bird I had never seen before. It was a huge bird with a redhead. (when I got home I looked the bird up it was a Red Pileated woodpecker.) I had never seen this bird in my life but it was beautiful. I just wish I could have got a picture of it to share with you.
Needless to say, this path was full of small surprises!
After a few moments of admiring the beauty of the moment I continued my way along the path. My mind kept coming back to the snails and woodpecker. What exactly was the universe trying to tell me today.
This led me to think of the attributes of snails and woodpeckers.
The snail:
grows a hard shell for protection (tough exterior)
they move slow
they eat greens and fungi
they do not always stay in their shells (gentle vulnerability)
they are a known delicacy
they have been used as a currency ( a form of abundance)
The woodpecker:
works hard and steadily (persistance)
has one mate for life (loyalty)
full of energy
able to overcome obstacles through their determination
it has been said that you will see a pileated woodpecker if you are faced with a tough situation, need to come out of your shell, and need a reminder you can overcome anything in your life.
What was the universe saying?
My interpretation:
While I was walking the thought that kept coming into my mind was “Life is a path full of small surprises”. You just have to stop focusing on getting to the end of the path. It is the things we see and experience along the path that bring meaning into our life. Allow the things no matter how big or small bring guidance and wisdom. Allowing you to create a life full of joy, happiness, and abundance.
The snail symbolism was the universe saying:
it is ok to take your time and slow down when you need to
your tough exterior helps when you need to protect yourself but it is ok to let yourself out of the shell and be vulnerable at times.
you can trust yourself to change whatever you want because you can go inward to find your peace and tranquility.
The snail has the perfect balance of strength and gentleness and so do you.
The woodpecker symbolism was the universe saying:
do not give up
it is ok to come out of your shell and be seen
steady progress is being made
stay focused on your goal and you will achieve it
move out of your comfort zone
stability comes through mastering your everyday life.
The next time you find that you are faced with tunnel vision only focused on the end of a path or situation allow yourself to slow down. The universe speaks to us in many ways, it is up to us to decipher the message.
You can be tough, yet gentle.
You can have fun, yet be determined.
You can overcome anything by going within and listening to the wisdom that comes to the surface. It is the small surprises along the path that make all the difference.
