Living Alongside Others

This time of year, Rumple (see the picture above) and his new friend, an older buck named Stiltskin, graze on the apples that drop from the trees. Often they can be found on the hill above the house with Vivian the fox, and Spanky, a wee fox cub. Vivian and Spanky eat apples too. Click here to see a short video of Vivian and Spanky.

Today while sitting quietly under an apple tree, listening to the fussy stellar jays, I heard a great ruckus. Vivian was in hot pursuit of Tiger the cat. Tiger's fur was puffed up, his tail bushy and his coat in a ridge along his spine. Vivian, her mouth open and canines flashing, was just a hair's breadth behind Tiger. Without a thought, I jumped up and joined the chase, hoping to stop her from hurting Tiger. It was over as quickly as it started, and Tiger and Vivian both seem to be ok.

Tiger, who does not eat apples, considers the hillside his very own territory. But Vivian and Spanky live here too. In the same way, I consider the gardens to be mine. But from Rumple and Stiltskin's point of view, the winter squash along with the apples are very delicious. Everyone has a point of view and reasons why they do the things that they do.

I forget that sometimes - everyone has a point of view. Rumple and Stiltskin like winter squash. Vivian wants a safe space for Spanky to grow. Tiger fights for his territory. My life is my own and it is a unique expression of me and everything that makes me me. And, I live alongside others in the exact same situation. There is so much to learn from everyone, and all beings long for ease.