This morning, Red and I went out to move the sheep, work with them. I am learning from Red how to get to work. With clarity. Focus. Determination. Confidence. I sat in the pasture with Red and Lenore for a few minutes, and it reminded me of my early days at Bedlam Farm, sitting with Rose at the top of the hill, reading St. Augustine’s “City Of God” to her. I don’t read to my dogs any longer, as I learned they would just as soon sit and look out over the valley.

I thought this, though. In the spiritual world, people tell me all the time to alter my thoughts, be positive, imagine what I want, teach my soul to be different, to think differently, watch what I think. This works for so many people, but not, I think, for me. I believe in living in a positive way, in shedding anger and fear but sitting in the meadow I thought that I loved my mind, I love my soul. I love the good and the bad, the best and the worst, the glorious moments, the lapses, failures and imperfections. That is so precious, something no one can take away from me. When I love my soul, fear melts away, so does anger and distraction. Look what my thoughts have done for me – books, Maria, photographs, my farm, dogs, donkeys, animals.

I read my Facebook messages last night, and there seems to be another of those periodic epidemics where people are telling me how to care for my animals, rather than asking me how I care for my animals. It’s not something I discuss much, as it is my business and Maria’s, really. But it made me appreciate how well we care for these wondrous creatures, how much we love them, how healthy and thriving they all are – every one. Animals mirror us, and the better cared for they are, the more nourished our soul becomes.  Love your soul, I thought, love your soul. Don’t change and question it, don’t presume to alter it. Look in the eyes of your dog or cat, or donkey, if you are so lucky, and love what you see looking back.  Love it, every morning, every day. A good morning’s meditation.