Ministry of Animals

rainclouds

Posted on January 13, 2015 by eteal

it is raining –

the skies outside are dark

so what?

let it rain,

the bamboo danced!

we played indoors today,

create your own forecast.

fetch fun in your personal sun.

Posted in therapy dog, zen dog | Tagged animals, art, create joy, dog, dog training in the rain, dog training on rainy days, eco-chaplaincy, eco-ministry, ink brush painting, play indoors with your pets, rainy days, sumi-e | Leave a comment

Warm spots

Posted on January 12, 2015 by eteal

reluctantly i emerge,

the rain coming down in shivery sheets outside

hinders my fortitude.

but bravely i venture forth.

seconds after i get up –

it is filled again –

the warm spot.

did you think i was not coming back?

oh for a spot of warmth!

we all crave one!

(yet we forget …. we created it in the first place)

Posted in Dao Dogs, Tao Cats | Tagged black cats, camping, cold weather, hospitality, ink brush painting, mysticism, poodles, solace, spirituality, sumi-e, warm spots in beds, winter weather, ying yang | Leave a comment

creeks, eddies and paddles

Posted on January 12, 2015 by eteal

somedays we all feel like we are up a creek –

without a paddle.

still,

my life goes on in endless song.

egrets?

well i have a few….

but they too

are

blessings.

Posted in The Now | Tagged animals, art, blessings, boat, creeks, eco-chaplaincy, eco-ministry, eco-mysticism, eco-spirituality, ink brush painting, my life goes on, poetry, small skiff, snowy egret, spirituality, sumi-e | 1 Comment

duck!

Posted on January 10, 2015 by eteal

Over my shoulder

the sky went dark.

Startled,

i ducked

and then looked up.

and what i saw set my heart to soaring.

don’t let fear keep you from flying.

Posted in The Now | Tagged eco-chaplaincy, eco-ministry, eco-spirituality, flight, flying, follow your dreams, literal shamanism, nature, poetry, raptor in flight, sumi-e, universal shamanism | Leave a comment

Justice

Posted on January 9, 2015 by eteal

He said that injustice anywhere

is a threat to justice

everywhere….

so,

no matter how big, no matter how small,

the light of justice

shines for all.

Shine your Light wherever you can,

you are all needed across the land.

and thanks for the snack under the bamboo –

and for the all the small justices that you do.

Posted in The Now | Tagged ally cat allies, bamboo, eco-ministry, injustice anywhere, nature, poetry, Rev.Dr.Martin Luther King Jr., sacred activism, social action, social justice, spirituality, standing on the side of love, stray cats, sumi-e, Unitarian Universalism | Leave a comment

Snuggle up

Posted on January 8, 2015 by eteal

it’s cold outside,

cuddle up together.

don’t be silly –

you are never alone!

snuggle up with your Self!

Posted in therapy dog, zen dog | Tagged adopted dog, animal assisted therapy, enzo dog, lurcher, rescue dog, sighthound mix, sleeping dogs, sweet dreams, therapy dog | Leave a comment

growth and attention span

Posted on January 8, 2015 by eteal

so i went to look at art

but You showed up

(again)

and for a moment

stole the show.

first your head is too big,

then you got tall

and now it is your feet,

and your head is small!

it’s all relative…

none of us grow evenly.

Posted in The Now | Tagged animal assisted chaplaincy, art, great dane puppy, growth, ink brush painting, integral growth theories, integral vision, large breed puppy, metaphors, pet therapy, poetry, spiritual growth, sumi-e | Leave a comment

looking up moving forward

Posted on January 7, 2015 by eteal

oh my

look up with love!

even if sometimes to move forward you have to move sideways

or walk backwards.

As long as you look up

and see what you love,

who you love;

as long as you look up

with love,

to love,

and

LOVE,

you are moving in the right direction:

HOME.

Posted in The Now | Tagged adopted dog, animal assisted chaplaincy, animal assisted therapy, art, brush painting, canine freestyle, dancing with dogs, dog, dog training, eco-spirituality, love, mystic dog training, poetry, positive training, rescue dog, spirituality | Leave a comment

prints

Posted on January 6, 2015 by eteal

paw prints on my heart?

no.

hand prints.

yes, we all grieve that love.

Posted in Tao Cats | Tagged animal assisted chaplaincy, animal grief, art, cat, cats, eco-chaplaincy, grieving, interspecies spirituality, loss, love, mourning, sumi-e | 1 Comment

Cardinal directions

Posted on January 5, 2015 by eteal

this morning

a female cardinal blessed me

with song

(and a bit of chastisement).

You have been told

over and over again –

trust the dove,

trust the crow ,

trust Me!

you have been cawled.

Posted in The Now | Tagged animal assisted chaplaincy, animals, birds, blessings, called to spiritual service, cardinals, crows, eco-chaplaincy, eco-ministry, eco-mysticism, eco-spirituality, female cardinals, interspecies spirituality, love, nature, origami collage, poetry, receiving the call, spirituality | 2 Comments