Criatura

Connie Schroeder

“Having a lover/friend who regards you as a living growing criatura, being, just as much as the tree from the ground, or a ficus in the house, or a rose garden out in the side yard... having a lover and friends who look at you as a true living breathing entity, one that is human but made of very fine and moist and magical things as well... a lover and friends who support the ciatura in you... these are the people you are looking for. They will be the friends of your soul for life. Mindful choosing of friends and lovers, not to mention teachers, is critical to remaining conscious, remaining intuitive, remaining in charge of the fiery light that sees and knows.”
― Clarissa Pinkola Estés, Women Who Run With the Wolves: Myths and Stories of the Wild Woman Archetype

 

Ms. Estes seems to be speaking to me a great deal of the time lately.  I'm always picking up one of her books and finding some piece of wisdom which I cherish, and which helps me to find my way.  Blessed be!  She has written such a great number of books and stories, and has gifted us with such wisdom.

 

We are not the same people we were yesterday.  A new branch grows here, a new experience expands our view and perspective, a new storm leaves a scar on us, new shoots and growing things are budding and some days we are abloom with color and beauty and life.  Some days we pull back into ourselves, asleep for the season.  But then spring arrives, and sap begins to flow, and creativity begins to appear in new ways, opening us up to new ways of life. 

 

We are incredibly fortunate, when we land in the company of those who know that we are growing and becoming.  Our lives are rich when our lover and friends see who we are, and still recognize us, when the next week or month or year, we have grown and expanded and become more of who we truly are.

We are so very wealthy when lover and friends encourage our growth, shine their light on our light hungry leaves; carefully water our deeply growing roots; toss in some fertilizer for good measure and allow us to do the same for them.  

 

These are more than lover and friend.  These people are the ones whom we call our true family.  Leaning into their care and their love and offering ours with tenderness, changes the world! 

 

Believe it!

 

Trust it!

 

Revel in it!

 

Celebrate it! 

 

Embrace it!