Most gray squirrels I've seen are scurrying around with a nut in their mouths, like this one at Blue Springs on our anniversary. They gather a surplus for winter and hide the nuts in different places. Sometimes they bury their provisions so well, the acorns are not found, but new trees and bushes are planted.
Squirrel brings a message to stock up on provisions, not only material, but gather the fruits of life in this moment when plentifully available. Joy, friendship, vitality... Squirrel is a creature of lightness, movement and spontaneity. The art of preparation is to take in the surplus of the moment, and also to give out freely in the same moment. Encounters with squirrels are moments to consider letting go... It could be an overflow of useless stuff you no longer need and can return to the natural flow of matter. Or it could be events and thoughts stored up from long ago that block the flow of freely expressing your feelings in the moment. Squirrel could never survive if it tried to hold on to all its provisions.
In looking back, I fondly recall a memorable encounter. A bushy-tailed red squirrel planted a seed to let go of my stressful, demanding career. At the time, I was on a much needed vacation, visiting my best friend from childhood who lived in California. Although decades have passed, I remember it like it was yesterday. I was lounging on the patio, enjoying the fresh air and sunshine while reading a book by Ruth Montgomery. That's when a happy squirrel pranced by me on the patio wall, and boldly stopped to loudly chomp on a big nut, while he sat overlooking the city of Oakland below. Oh how I longed to be free from tedious morning hours commutes on I-95, working in an office building with no windows... I wanted to breathe in new life. I couldn't help but notice the animated squirrel was a picture of health. All needs provided--free to roam--plenty to eat, and a shiny, red coat. I wondered, Why I couldn't trust that God would provide for me, too?
Two years later, it happened...I took a leap of faith, and let go of my so-called security to grab on to a new opportunity to work on an angel documentary. Some thought I was nuts, but I've never regretted it, no not once.
Love and peace,
Rae Karen
