Concrete Experience for Abstract Words

I knew that quoting Rumi this morning was asking for a personal encounter with his words.  The visit to Toyota service center lasted five minutes and was a free adjustment, the walk in the mall was easy and uneventful.  I confidently moved through the day, taking care of business.

I begin a bit of cleaning.  Unloading the dishwasher.  Cleaning off the counter.  Heading for the trash can, my bare foot sets down less than three inches from where Princess, my beloved dog, is sleeping.

She growls, and snaps.  Snaps!! The two smaller toes on my right foot.  OWWW!!!

I scream.  And cry.  A lot.  My dog bit me.  I am hurt and angry and crying…

She slinks under the buffet.

I continue crying.  For the injustice.  The disrespect.  After all I’ve done for her, etc.  It gushes out.

She watches my tirade from under the buffet.

There is no blood.  She didn’t break the skin.  The pain subsides…both physically and emotionally.

My dog was being herself.  My foot woke her and she snapped.  It was instinct, not premeditation.

I’ve been guilty of such striking outs when I felt threatened.

She slunk away amid my screams and cries.

I certainly know how to do that.

Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing,
there is a field.

I open to the experiences…