Nature's reminders

Last week we went camping, which always provides me with an opportunity for one of my favorite practices.  It's a simple practice... just being still in nature and noticing whatever comes to my attention.   One morning at our campsite I watched this woodpecker.  She (I don't know that it was a female... it's just my chosen pronoun for this story) moved progressively closer to me as I watched... Then she drummed a few times, looked at me, and she flew away.  She was beautiful and poignant, and I felt connected to her in some way.  She had my attention and I thought over what I know about woodpeckers and what I might be aware of in my life that was related to her.

For me woodpeckers signify voice... as each species has a characteristic drumming pattern.  They are common in forests with mature trees, as they depend on the infrastructure of large trees for their nest holes and for food.  Because they are birds, they also signify freedom.  They are not bound to two dimensions... they can rise to great heights... among the canopy of the trees... and so are closer to spirit.  

So, for me, woodpeckers bode well for having created a reliable infrastructure in life... and that whatever I am currently building is likely to have a strong foundation.  I also see woodpecker as indicating a unique voice, a singular way of being in the world, that is also on a conscious well-built foundation.  She reminds me to care for my unique expression of life in all ways... mentally, emotionally, spiritually, physically.  She reminds me that this awareness... of myself from many facets, is what brings me closer to Source.

Thank you dear woodpecker!  I am honored by our interaction and the gifts of awareness you bring!