Dexter Knows the Secret

Dexter—or D Man, or Deedle, depending on the day—came to us from the Humane Society with his brother, Wyatt.

They came into our lives after Frey Frey and Phloogie had transitioned.

The girls were independent souls. They loved us in their own beautiful way, but they weren't interested in being held or cuddled very often. Affection happened on their terms, and I learned to appreciate that about them.

Then came Dexter.

From the moment he arrived, it was obvious he had a completely different view of life.

Dexter believes everyone exists to be his friend.

He loves being picked up. The moment I scoop him into my arms, he melts into me as though he has been waiting all day for that exact moment.

He leans into them.

He seeks them out.

He receives them completely.

Nothing seems to bother D Man very much.

He loves his brother.

He loves Nala.

He loves us.

He simply moves through life with an open heart, giving affection as freely as he receives it.

Every time I see his sweet little face, I can't help but smile.

He doesn't perform to earn my love.

He doesn't bring me gifts.

He doesn't try to be impressive.

He doesn't wonder if he's worthy.

He simply exists.

And somehow, that's more than enough.

What Dexter Taught Me

Watching Dexter has made me wonder how often we humans make love far more complicated than it was ever meant to be.

Somewhere along the way, many of us began believing we had to earn it.

We work harder.

We accomplish more.

We buy gifts.

We prove ourselves.

We worry whether we're enough.

Dexter has never worried about any of that.

He doesn't question whether he deserves to be loved.

He doesn't hesitate to receive affection because he thinks he hasn't earned it yet.

He simply opens his heart and lets love flow in.

Then, without keeping score, he gives it right back.

In my automatic writing, my guides have reminded me many times that we are surrounded by love every moment of every day. They gently ask, "Can you receive it?"

I used to think they were talking about Spirit.

Now I wonder if they were also talking about life itself.

Love is offered in so many forms.

In a cat who curls into your arms.

In the morning song of the birds.

In the quiet presence of a tree.

In a friend's unexpected phone call.

In the warmth of the sun on your face.

Perhaps love isn't something we're trying to create as much as something we're learning to notice.

Dexter notices.

He receives it without hesitation.

And because he receives it so freely, he gives it just as freely.

Maybe that has been the secret all along.

You May Be Wondering...

Is it really that simple? Can we truly just receive love?

I think many of us have spent a lifetime believing love has conditions.

That we have to become more, do more, fix more, or prove more before we're worthy of receiving it.

Our animals don't seem to carry that belief.

They remind us that our worth isn't something we achieve.

It is something we were born with.

Perhaps that's why they are such extraordinary teachers.

They don't ask us to become someone else.

They simply invite us to remember who we've always been.

May you see the world through the eyes of love, remembering that we are all part of one living, sacred whole.