A woodpecker in my woods...

The other day I was walking in my forest backyard and a woodpecker came and perched on the side of the tree in front of me. When I walked toward it, it didn't fly away.

It stayed, allowing me to really look at it closely.

I walked closer to it. It stayed.

I watched it for several minutes. I felt a rush of peace.


I've recently been taught that all animals have a message for us. We get to decide to listen to them, or ignore them.

I called Paul. He has a book about animals and their significance and their messages. As I was leaving a message, another woodpecker came and perched on another tree trunk near me.


"The woodpecker has strong hooked claws for firm holds upon a tree. Its tail feathers help to prop it upright. It also has a peculiar up and down flight. It will fly, coast down, fly and then coast down. It flies in a manner and rhythm unique to itself. All of this serves to emphasize the fact that it will become increasingly important for you to follow your own unique rhythms and flight. Do what works for you in the manner best for you. When woodpecker comes into your life, it indicates that the foundation is there. It is now safe to follow your own rhythms.”

I have been feeling a bit shaky about my move to India. A bit scared. A bit of everything. I'm going into the unknown. I feel tempted to envelop myself in all the comforts of the known. I've been feeling overwhelmed, and intimidated, and a strange sense of alone. And a bit frantic...



You may think that these woodpeckers were a coincidence. What I know is that I have been specifically praying for the last several months to become more in tune with animals. By the time the woodpeckers flew away I felt something was being endowed upon me. I just didn't know what it was.

And then hearing Paul today tell me that the woodpecker is showing me that "my foundation is there..." and "it is now safe to follow your own rhythms..."

...I feel a sense a refreshment. A feeling I want to thank those woodpeckers for.