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THE DANCE OF THE WOODPECKER:...What Does That Mean???

By
Real Estate Agent with Douglas Elliman Real Estate 30HA0800896

This is part IV of my series "DO YOU EVER WONDER WHY WEIRD THINGS HAPPEN TO YOU?"  This one is about The Dance of The Woodpecker..What does that mean??? Read on and find out! 

On a trip to Tuscan, Arizona a few years ago, I wanted to use the time in a way that I would come back to New York City, rested and relaxed and ready to take on my "New" Life.

My life mate, Alan was now officially out of my life after 18 years and even though it never resulted in a marriage, the break-up was very much like a divorce. and I was taking the trip to "work" out my strategy for getting back into my former career. It was a long shot but I needed to at least try.Saguaro cactus and Woodpecker

I love hiking and other activities in the Sonoran Desert---there has always been something about the dry air and the sun that makes me feel renewed, especially if I work up a good sweat, as in a long hard hike!

Before my trip I spent some time talking to my friend *Karen Thorneand she, in her wisdom, knew how important this trip was for me. She made several suggestions for me to clear away old "stuff" and begin a brand new life for myself. One of the most valuable and ultimately successful things she suggested was a  meditation at sunrise.

Her instructions were to go on an early morning walk, at sunrise, and find a quiet place to sit facing the eastern sky. She said to just sit quietly with my eyes closed and while taking deep breaths, ask the wonders of nature to reveal to me what  I needed to see that would guide me on my way in my new life....she told me that I needed to be patient, calm and willing to"see" whatever was being shown to me.

So, I woke early the next day and took my normal morning walk at sunrise into the canyon---It was still dark and there were few people out that morning so it was ideal for my meditation. I found a dried out old log and sat gingerly down on my neck scarf to avoid any nibbles from uninvited guests!

My eyes were closed and my breathing was very deep and I let the air out slowly and followed that with another deep, deep breath. The quiet was so intense and obvious that it was almost scary---then all of a sudden I heard a murmur; the murmur was low and soft and then it started to hummmmm, a very soft humm that seemed to build into the sound of fluttering. The soft flutter became a little louder every second; then a flury of wings flapping and soft peeping of bird like sounds and rustle of leaves at once. The rustle got very loud and then the flapping and the peeping became a steady, ever increasing fluttering of wings, flapping of wings and legs and other animal body parts as the world awakened!

The awakening of the world in the desert is unlike anything I have ever heard beforeand I just had to open my eyes to see what was going on! What I was experiencing was a whelming-up of life! A virtual building of every movement of every animal in existence! And as I opened my eyes I was looking directly at a huge saguaro cactus; on the large column of cactus was a woodpecker. he was just standing there, looking directly at me---then he started his dance. He swirled, turned one way then another..silently he jumped and danced until I thought he would fall over in a death spiral. 

THE WOODPECKER DANCING ON A SAGUARO

My meditation was awesomeand to watch as this woodpecker danced his brains out, I thought "I have to get to a phone! I need to ask Karen what this could mean to me and my new life".....I was sure it was going to be that a mating dance had just occurred--maybe I was opening up to a new relationship---even though I did not feel ready, maybe this was a sign that I needed to start looking!

Karen's message to me was not exactly a suggestion of a new mate coming into my life; instead it was a very interesting evaluation letting me "see" that my creative side was in need of refurbishing. I had been so busy collecting myself in my relationship which was now over, that I had neglected the most important part of my life: creativity. The woodpecker is a fertility symbol and the dance was a mating dance but instead of creating a new life through mating it was a suggestion that I needed to get back into the creative process of life--fertility of the mind was what I needed to acknowledge and get to work on!!!

My life began a new phase where I became the master of my own destiny;I became a singular success at my new life, which included painting, writing and real estate. I have found that creativity is also needed in building a new career and that I have been able to do!!!

 

*Karen Thorne is a good friend and a renowned Astrologer in New York City.

 

Barbara Hensley
RE/MAX Properties - Rockwall, TX
Homes for Sale in Rockwall County, Texas

Great story.  Good luck in your new life.

Nov 12, 2010 11:42 AM
Ellen Caruso
Daniel Gale Sotheby's International Realty - Glen Head, NY

Paula, another great story about the connections in your life. I am glad you found YOU! Try to read my newest blog and add a bit of laughter to your night!

Nov 12, 2010 11:44 AM
Paula Hathaway, REALTOR, LBA
Douglas Elliman Real Estate - Southampton, NY
...A Local Expert in all The Hamptons

Barbara: Thank you---so far, so good!!!

Ellen: I will look  up your post--- and thanks for the recognition that I found ME!

Nov 12, 2010 11:59 AM
Andrea Swiedler
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New England Properties - New Milford, CT
Realtor, Southern Litchfield County CT

Paula, taking charge and being the master of your own destiny is key in life, and also one of the hardest things to do!

And who wouldn't feel the way you did when meditating in the desert? I love it, lived there for a while and it was more than fantastic. A different life, ages ago, but remains ever a part of me.

Nov 12, 2010 01:10 PM
Paula Hathaway, REALTOR, LBA
Douglas Elliman Real Estate - Southampton, NY
...A Local Expert in all The Hamptons

Andrea: The desert is my favorite spot next to Southampton!!  I do feel in charge of my own destiny now and that makes such a difference in my business too! I alwyas hve the feeling that if things ever get really bad I will always be able to deal with it---confidence has not always been one of my attributes and now I can't remember how I used to feel when confronted with a major issue!

Nov 13, 2010 02:26 AM
Evette Cecena
Technology Monsters - Internet Marketing & IT Support - Mesa, AZ

I just love your posts. You are inspiring!  I also love the way you bolded the main points of the paragraphs.  That is a terrific idea and something I hadn't considered.  I can be a little long winded at times and I think that is a great way to allow people to skip over the details.  Whether that was your intent or not (probably not) but I think it is great for long posts.  I'm glad that you found inspiration in this desert that I call home.  Next time you are here I would love to meet you.  What beautiful writing.. like reading poetry. 

Nov 13, 2010 05:35 PM
Paula Hathaway, REALTOR, LBA
Douglas Elliman Real Estate - Southampton, NY
...A Local Expert in all The Hamptons

Evetta: Thank you so much for your appreciation of my writing! I can get long winded at times too and tha is the exac reason I bold those beginnings---it also keeps the attention because if someone starts to want to move on they see that sentence and it may encourage them to read on....

Nov 13, 2010 11:28 PM
Herb Johnson
Access Capital - Florence, KY

Paula:

Think you should maybe consider a second career as a writer.

All the best,

Herb

Nov 13, 2010 11:40 PM
Paula Hathaway, REALTOR, LBA
Douglas Elliman Real Estate - Southampton, NY
...A Local Expert in all The Hamptons

Herb: Thank you so much--I love it when someone really "gets" what I have written!

Valerie: This is so weird--I just left you a comment on your post about staging--- here you are here!!! The desert is so special, and most people never get to see it in their entire lives!

Nov 13, 2010 11:45 PM
Andrew Mooers | 207.532.6573
MOOERS REALTY - Houlton, ME
Northern Maine Real Estate-Aroostook County Broker

Makes you think, increases awareness. We all need the deeper soul searching for perspective, realignment. Speaking of woodpeckers, one would have to pack a lunch as it flies over that desert. Not a lot to eat, sample. You seem back on your feet.

Nov 13, 2010 11:50 PM
Paula Hathaway, REALTOR, LBA
Douglas Elliman Real Estate - Southampton, NY
...A Local Expert in all The Hamptons

Andrew: Glad you took the time to read it! I have kept up on your posts as well and appreciate your input here. I think the Woodpecker can find lots of insects in those cactus' --in fact they get their water there too! Many a soul has been saved from death for lack of water and saved themselves by carving up an arm the great saguaro...did you know it takes 100 years for saguaro cactus to grow to the size you see in the photos? They are an astounding plant!

Nov 14, 2010 12:15 AM
Randy Ostrander
Lake and Lodge Realty LLC - Big Rapids, MI
Real Estate Broker, Serving Big Rapids and West Central MI

I absolutely love that first hour of day. When things come to life. I have never tried it with my eyes closed. It would heighten the rest of your senses. Thanks for the story and best of luck in your "new" life.

Nov 14, 2010 12:19 AM
Paula Hathaway, REALTOR, LBA
Douglas Elliman Real Estate - Southampton, NY
...A Local Expert in all The Hamptons

Randy: I had never experienced it before and that morning the sounds became deafening!! But in a wonderful way--I could literally feel the hair on my head stand on end---and my whole being became more alert...

It was AWESOME!!!

Nov 14, 2010 12:31 AM
Brian Doubleday
Brian Doubleday - IML RealEstate - Orange County, CA Broker - Ladera Ranch, CA
Ladera Ranch, Foothill Ranch, Lake Forest, Mission Viejo

Paula, I think a spiritual trip like this would do me good...nature, a little meditation is good for the spirit

Nov 14, 2010 12:38 AM
Paula Hathaway, REALTOR, LBA
Douglas Elliman Real Estate - Southampton, NY
...A Local Expert in all The Hamptons

Brian: I think we all need it at some point. I call it "Renewal" and it is so enriching to the body and the spirit! If I did not take that trip I can't even imagine what I would be going through right now.....

Nov 14, 2010 12:41 AM