Letting Go of the Old: Better is Definitely On Its Way

December 4-6, 2015

Initially, I just planned on adding some new information—to include the amazing trailers for the movie Wolf Totem—to the posts, “Dream of Wolf and Dolphins in Swimming Pool” and “Facing an Unknown Fear: Embracing the Wolf Spirit Guide Within.”

However, after typing away the last paragraphs—basically, this post—I received some insights, so I decided to create a new post.

Note: Image on right found next to link (thank you) => vivianethais.deviantart.com / Cosmic Wolf by vivianethais 
My husband and I are definitely watching the movie, The Jungle Book (coming April of 2016), which instantly reminded me of some of the animal spirit guides that I’ve dreamt of and journaled and/or blogged about in the past.

I trust that these animal spirit guides are one of many extensions of the Divine Feminine/Great Mother Goddess within—of many forms
since we can’t see pure Spirit with our physical eyes—who gives us additional inner (through dream state and meditation) and outer (through nature) guidance to who we truly are with their/her strengths and so-called weaknesses (shadow aspects of self).

The dreams include: me swimming and playing in a lake (i.e., water also representing the Divine Feminine and healing/loving energies) with a big brown bear; swimming in a pool with a black panther, and even seeing a black panther and a cub in another dream; several snakes, to include the huge, white snake one standing upright and staring at me; four different tiger dreams; tropical monkey-like beings and a black monkey with rainbow fur on its forearms.

Note: Images above found next to links (thank you) => www.pinterest.com (left: Cosmic Bear) www.ign.com (right: Cosmic Bear) 

What’s interesting to me is that about a week or so prior to seeing the previews for this movie, my husband and I had recorded on TV the animated version of The Jungle Book we saw as children, but barely recalled the details.

Even though we’re in our early forties, like many adults, the free-spirited inner child in us loves fun activities, to include watching great, animated movies.

However, even though the description clearly stated that it was the 80’s version, the 1994 version ended up being recorded, which neither one of us were interested in.

This happened twice, and I was a bit disappointed, because whatever I did recall from that animated movie, I loved as a child.

Note: Images above found next to links (thank you) => pixgood.com (left)  hdwpics.com (right: “jaguar[black panther] family” 

I loved it so much, that when there were auditions for The Jungle Book musical play at my elementary school, I wanted to try out so bad, but I didn’t have the confidence to, or even the courage.

Note: Image on left above found next to link => allpicts.in (thank you)

Ever since I was a child, I was often praised for my dancing skills, but never for my singing abilities.

My mother shared with me a story that I would never forget, probably because she looked so happy while telling it, which seemed to be a rare memory.

She said that whenever she put me in a tub of water as a child, I would start dancing with a big smile on my face, which she thought was so cute.

Note: Image on right above found next to link => lifeinrobinsnest.blogspot.com (thank you)

However, in my early forties, I experienced for the first time a soul-igniting compliment on my singing ability.

My husband had asked me to go with him to a showing for a few large houses that a veteran and his nurse wife were planning to purchase for their family.

I often thought I was alright with my singing ability—not great enough to be a contestant for a show like The Voice, but not shattering windows and ear drums within the neighborhood; however, I never thought of my singing as impressive enough to cause awe in another, or anything of that magnitude.

Note: Image on left above found next to link => en.spiritualism-japan.com (thank you) 

While the adults were looking around, I started entertaining the little ones, to include a very quiet and sweet seven year old girl, and an adorable toddler girl who turned cranky and clingy after her brief nap.

Rewind about 30 minutes prior to that, and I was in the couple’s car after their toddler had fallen asleep.

Rather than waking her up, I volunteered to stay in the air-conditioned car while they looked around the house.

Note: Image on right above found next to link => theplanetd.com (thank you)

While sitting in the front seat, with the toddler in the back, I looked back every 30 seconds or so to ensure she was okay.

It was hilarious watching her, because I had never seen a toddler hold his/her bottle while sleeping, and right before dropping the bottle, raising it back up into her mouth to suck on.

Her multi-tasking skills were impressive; I don’t think an adult can even pull that off—continuously maintaining a grip on a cup while drinking and sleeping.

Note: Image on left above found next to link => en.paperblog.com (thank you)

A few times, she almost woke up, and though we made very brief eye contact, she felt back asleep, to which I would take a deep breath of relief.

However, about 20 minutes into her bizarre nap, she suddenly woke up with eyes wide open; and as we made strong eye contact, I repeatedly thought to self, “Please don’t cry, please don’t cry….”

And then it happened. After looking all disoriented, and probably thinking to herself, “Who the hell are you, why are you in our car, and where are my parents?” her face crunched up as she prepped for her emotions to erupt, and passionately cried out, “Dadda!!!” which made me anxious while simultaneously thinking that it was precious since most kids seem to shout out for their mothers.

My intuition kicked in, and I immediately started singing to her; and though at first, she had made it clear that she wasn’t in the mood, to my great surprise, she slowly opened up; however, it didn’t last long, and I ended up getting her parents right away.

Note: Images above found next to links (thank you) => www.buzzfeed.com (right) and picsstop.blogspot.com (left)  

Once inside, I sang to both the toddler and her older sister, since my kids used to love it when they were little, as well as my 23 preschool students while I briefly worked at an Early Learning Center as an assistant teacher.

I noticed that Barney songs were all of the children’s favorites, and understandably so since they have catchy melodies, as well as positive lyrics.

Even a five year old tomboy, who refused to participate in singing period, ended up voluntarily joining the class when I introduced the Barney song, “Please and Thank You,” which all of them were very excited about.

I’ve learned that kids learn concepts very quickly through songs. And rather than encouraging them to brush their teeth after lunch, or even nagging at them to brush it thoroughly, our class of teachers noticed that that the Barney’s brushing teeth song works wonders. The kids actually became excited about brushing their teeth rather than dreading it.

Note: Images above found next to links (thank you) => fooyoh.com (right) and www.odditycentral.com (left)

While singing away, I was delighted to see that both the toddler and her old sister seemed to be mesmerized by my singing and animated gestures, especially the little one who wanted more after each song.

At one point, as I was lost in time, and enjoying the moment, the kids’ mother came out of the closet that she was checking out, approached me with a look of awe in her face, and asked in a soft tone, “Was that you singing?”

I replied that it was, to which she continued, “Wow, you have such a beautiful voice; I thought you were playing songs on your phone or something.”

I thanked her from the bottom of my heart. No one’s ever told me that I sing beautifully before, so it really moved me.

Granted, I’ve been karaoking plenty of times in the past—you know us Asians love us some karaoke—and although I had received some compliments, mostly everyone had plenty to drink, so the compliments that were often shouted out—often times with a slur—didn’t seem to mean much.

But then again, looking back, that was just me projecting my own lack of self-confidence. I’ve learned (as a human)/remembered (as as soul) that when validation of self comes from within, it has the most powerful effect.

Note: Images above found next to links (thank you) => zuzutop.com (right) and lankawordspictures.blogspot.com (left)

I’ve also learned that when we share with others our observations of them, in a loving way—whether “positive” or “negative (constructive criticism)—, we may end up gifting them with information/knowledge/Light about their strengths and/or so-called weaknesses that they may not have been aware of previous to that moment.

Therefore, I trust that it’s important to give genuine compliments whenever a wonderful quality is observed, and not just assume that they already know.

I’ve experienced some people tell me that they had never thought of themselves in that light when I share with them a compliment or a neutral observation. I also found it very helpful when thoughtful others do the same for me.

Note: Images above found next to links (thank you) => www.pinterest.com (right) and www.richard-seaman.com (left)

Time traveling back to my elementary school days: So rather than being sad about not being part of the school musical play, I just memorized The Jungle Book songs instead, and practiced passionately singing them whenever I was alone.

Looking back, though I didn’t look into a mirror while singing, I recall having been very animated, even pretending to be the animals that were singing certain songs.

I sang those songs so many times, that they ended up in my long-term memory, and I even sang them to my own children when they were little, as well as some other children whenever I babysat.

I also enjoyed watching my schoolmates perform the parts to the play, and even wished at moments that I could be like them.

Looking back, I’m very grateful that I was able to just continuing doing one of the things that I love (i.e, sing), though I wasn’t confident in it.

Note: Images above found next to links (thank you) => www.pinterest.com (right) and  www.pinterest.com (left)

Because ultimately, it doesn’t matter if one didn’t learn how to sing through formal lessons, didn’t have a chance to shine in the public spotlight, or even become a professional or famous singer.

What truly matters is how much joy one experiences through singing, as well as bring joy to others.

And this, of course, applies to many other things in life; regardless of earthly labels, what matters is what makes us happy within.

Fast-forwarding to the recent present: So even though I was a bit disappointed that I didn’t get a chance to relive those joyful moments of watching the 80’s animated version of The Jungle Book again on TV, I just moved on.

And to my great surprise, when I saw the intriguing previews for the 2016 version of The Jungle Book, I felt my soul get super excited, and I was instantly reminded from within that when we let go of the old, better is definitely on its way—an angel number message that I’ve often received in the past years. 

I trust that this not only applies to the new movie, The Jungle Book, but is also symbolic of something much much much bigger on its way—further blessings from the Universe within, unlike anything I’ve ever experienced before—and not just for me, for all of us, since we’re all interconnected parts of The One.

It’s just that it makes the interpretation of life so much easier when we have a simple example to refer to…

one that further ignites our imagination, visualization, dreams, symbolism in life, faith/trust in Divinity within, Divine purpose, Divine Wisdom, soul journey/mission, and a deeper understanding of the most powerful cosmic love force (Divine Love) within the interconnectedness of All That Is, which is in all existence throughout the omniverse.

Note: Images above found next to links (thank you) => www.cartoonbucket.com (right: King Louie Playing With Mowgli), www.examiner.com (left: Baloo and his pal Mowgli),  www.youtube.com (right: Ka and Mogli “Trust in Me”), and www.bustle.com (left: The Jungle Book family photo)

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Continuation posts, “Choosing to See the Spark Within the Dark” and “The tiny competition that grew, Grew and GREW into a DEADLY DESTROYER“