July is the month I dislike the most. It is hot, humid, buggy, long, and holds the loss of so many human and animal friends. I wrote about this in 2018 and it still rings true.

This year, I decided to meet July differently. Not with dread, anxiety, waiting for the bad to happen, or swearing at the heat and bugs, but with openness, curiosity and gratitude for the gifts July might bring. I set the intention to notice a gift from Spirit each day and honor each with gratitude. I also asked Spirit to share gifts with me. And Spirit did not disappoint! Just to be honest, I still cursed the heat and bugs a few times…ok, hundreds of times. LOL!

While this July lived up to its reputation as of a month of loss; it brought phenomenal gentle reminders that if we are open and observant, Spirit shines on us and gives us much for which to be grateful. 

First, I saw heart shaped rock on my daily path to the pasture. Next came the feathers –so many beautiful feathers of all colors. Finding a feather feels like love from the Universe!
There was the yellow leaf promising fall, the turtle laying her eggs, the hawk on the post, the elegant bird at the pond’s edge, the pretty little writing spider on the barn wall, the mama hawk teaching her babies to hunt, the sweet scent of honeysuckle, the little patch of pink wild flowers at the wood’s edge, the cool breeze out of nowhere on a hot day – the gifts kept coming and coming – everyday! Too many to list, but all bringing smiles and joy and gratitude every single day.

Then came the day I saw three crows nine times! Spiritually, three crows mean transformation, change and growth. The first sighting was like “oh, ok.” The second later that day was “hmm.” The third sighting hours later was, “Ok, Ok, I got it!” With each successive sighting it became clear the Universe was sending me a big message -whacking me on the head actually. Lots to unpack with that one so more to come later…

As if three crows nine times were not magical enough, three rainbows shined across the same road in separate places two days later. I drove through the first one in awe. By the time I drove through the third, I was in beaming in wonder and gratitude! I never saw the pot of gold, but those rainbows were worth more than gold!

While July outdid herself with gifts, she took her usual toll: the loss of a human friend, a feline friend, and the transitions of animals of friends and clients.  Even in those moments of grief, connections with the animals, Spirit, and nature brought peace and the confirmation that we are all connected, and when loved ones leave the physical world, they are with us still.  Thank you, July, for all that you gave!

I hope July gifted you with some peaceful moments and beautiful gifts.  What did you notice?

Love & Light,

Laura