I've been seeing lots of Canada geese lately, often in pairs. Two is a number of balance, encourages planning, urges decision making, and for us to use our good judgement for the betterment of our Soul. Ted Andrews, author of Animal Speak, says geese are very tied to our childhood stories; hence, Mother Goose's nursery rhymes. He said to think back to our favorite stories and fairy tales of our childhood and think on how they actually correlate to your life. The first one that popped in my head as a lasting and particular favorite was "Bedtime for Frances" by Russell Hoban. I hadn't thought of that book in years but it fits so well! Frances is a little girl badger who is trying so hard to avoid bedtime like most children her age. She uses all the stalling tactics: requests a drink of milk, extra affection from both parents, her dolls and stuffed animals... Then she starts letting her imagination get the better of her and even familiar items look scary and distorted in the darkness of her room.
(Side note: I was flabbergasted to learn at the time of this writing that there has actually been controversy regarding this book and efforts to ban it due in part to a reference to Frances being threatened with a spanking if she doesn't comply to staying in her bed. Mostly, this comes from people in the anti-spanking, spanking = abuse camps of thinking. They feel that the threat of violence from Frances' father is scary and inappropriate for children. I see how this would concern those who take this stance and, in fact, very rarely spanked my own children although it was mostly because I didn't find it to be a deterrant to them particularly. However, as a child abuse survivor, I never found this book to be anything but a comforting and sweet story that I cherished and found Frances' home to be a desirable place to live.)
I certainly can relate to Frances! Darkness and sleep commonly represent the sub-conscious, dreams, mystery, and intuition. I look at the way I've cautiously held my new career at arm's length. I procrastinate, fear it (to a degree as discussed previously), mistrust it, and seek the comfort and affirmations of people I hold up as authority figures for guidance... I'm sure that even more could be gleaned from each of the specific stalling she tries. I don't even think it's necessary to go that far in my own analysis when perhaps the most poignant moment of all for me is the end when she comes to understand that it is her job to get some sleep so she can wake up fresh the next morning to be her best.
I will be purchasing another copy because I wish I could remember the story in more detail. Although, there are parts that are still really stuck in my memory. Like when she decided to sing her alphabet to herself. "A is for Alphabet, B is for Bear. C is for Crocodile combing his hair..." I can still hear Lillian Hoban's childlike voice singing this little tune on the record that came with my copy of the book.
It IS my job to welcome the darkness in order to bring about my full potential and develop spiritually. So in attempting to embrace my new "job" in dreams and intuition, I admit that I have been going forward dragging my feet with all kinds of irrational fears. Frances finally exhausts herself to the point that she falls asleep but she still did it thinking she accomplished it on her terms when, in fact, she just stopped fighting the inevitable for her own good. When you open your mind and listen to the world around you, even a pair of geese and a procrastinating child badger can be your gurus.
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