tag:arvelbird.com,2005:/blogs/arvel-bird-and-other-animal-totems?p=2Arvel Bird and Other Animal Totems2022-03-11T10:06:52-05:00Arvel Bird | Celtic Indianfalsetag:arvelbird.com,2005:Post/69196762022-03-11T10:06:52-05:002023-10-16T10:49:33-04:00March's Maddness<p>Hi I just got a question about whether I was going to put on a St Patrick's Day concert like I have so many other years at the OTCA in Cottonwood, AZ. I was not asked to do so this year for whatever reasons I was not told. I did put on a great concert there on Oct. 2, 2022, of Animal Totems. But it's all good because I could not even prepare to do so anyway. I did go to Florida for concerts in Mt Dora which were mainstay Celtic/Indian performances and today I leave to Casa Grande for a private show at the Fair Grounds. But finding real musicians and rehearsing for an all Celtic show for St Paddy's would be too much. </p>
<p>Since last I posted I have left my relationship and musical parring with Keleah LaRoche. It will be a year coming up on April 20, 2021. It was heartbreaking and sad for the loss of music and our dreams but it was not about that in the end. It was about learning some deep, hard lessons about love, shadows, bubbles, blind spots, suicide, and being true to myself.</p>
<p>I did land on my feet and in a new relationship with a wonderful person named Karen Reedstrom, whom I had become friends with in 2018 when she moved to Cottonwood from Michigan. We had become good friends and shared hosting of a Native Flute circle, drum circle, and supportive chats when I was trying to find direction. I also reminded her of her own father: a tenderhearted man of artistic brilliance, a fun-loving, kind and generous.</p>
<p>My life finally went from drama to smooth sailing with only a few choppy waves at infrequent times. I am also teaching grade school children how to play the violin. Actually, I told them in the beginning, "I'm not here to teach you how the play the violin, I'm here to show you what and how to practice the violin so you can learn to play it yourself." </p>
<p>I'm very happy now with my relationship but things are never going to be the same musically. I wasn't sure if I wanted to get back in the music business game. It is more than one person can handle on their own. I've already scaled back but cannot handle all the "leads" that are coming in nor keep up this website and publicity. I'll do what I can, but right now I'm not inspired to create any new music as I work to release the last vestiges of anger</p>
<p>and resentment from my heart so I can move on. That's my mission now for the moment. Bless you all for believing in me and wanting to stay in touch. I hope to get back on my game or wherever my Higher Soul sends me.</p>
<p>Love to self, the community, and Planet Earth,</p>
<p>Arvel Bird </p>Arvel Bird | Celtic Indiantag:arvelbird.com,2005:Post/64855282020-11-25T13:10:24-05:002022-10-04T14:56:44-04:00The Year of Covid<p>My last post is dated Sept 16, 2020, but that is a typo, I believe, because it seems like I would have said that Sept. 16, 2017, instead. Awe, so many things have changed and transmuted since 2017. I can't even begin to list them all, except to say that in 2020 alone I have experienced divorcing my wife of 30 years, resigning as director, president and lead pastor of the spiritual healing center I started and co-lead with my former wife; moving 3 times; losing all my income with the covid shut down; experiencing an identity crisis; extreme highs and extreme lows; major shadow healings; starting a new relationship; adjusting, adjusting, and more adjusting.</p>
<p>I'm now part of a The New Center, Inc. in Cottonwood, AZ, which is similar to the Center of Universal Light except that it is going deeper and rising higher and I'm working and playing music now with Kaleah LaRoche. </p>
<p>I'll get better at staying in touch and keeping up to date about my events. </p>
<p>Blessings everyone and Happy Thanksgiving (what are you most thankful for?)</p>
<p>Arvel Bird</p>Arvel Bird | Celtic Indiantag:arvelbird.com,2005:Post/54904072020-09-16T20:09:33-04:002021-04-21T13:04:34-04:00Life in my new role . . . Rev. Arvel<p>Last February, Kimberly and I were offered the opportunity to follow one of our new dreams. To have a spiritual healing center. Well, to be honest, I mainly had my sights set on being one of the teachers, musicians, and workshop facilitator at a healing center. But after another sold-out concert at the Old Town Center for the Arts that fateful night, my long time friend and fellow-musician, who also happens to be the director of OTCA asked me if I had ever thought about starting my own church.</p>
<p>Yes and No, I told him, speaking instead of a holistic spiritual center, rather than a denominational church. He said the previous group was closing, freeing up time on Sundays. It was just the right time, the moon was right, the stars were lined up and we said yes.</p>
<p>I've never been happier, and Kimberly has completely blossomed in her new space. In the 18 months we've been here, we've held Gatherings every Sunday, Kimberly immediately started a Sister's Circle that has monthly programs about all types of topics, Goddesses, Jewish Traditions, Oracle cards, Egyptian culture and history, Native American ceremonies, crafts and more.</p>
<p>I started a men's group where we talk about guy things (code of silence!). We also have a bi-monthly Drumming Circle, bi-monthly Native American flute</p>Arvel Bird | Celtic Indiantag:arvelbird.com,2005:Post/41458432016-04-20T11:07:00-04:002022-03-07T04:56:19-05:00To Fly or "Dragon"Fly<div class="p1">It’s no coincidence that many of my animal totem blogs are also animals for which I composed or co-wrote on my Animal Totems CDs. Most of those creatures have played roles in my life at one time or another with profound messages. </div>
<div class="p2"> </div>
<div class="p2"><span class="s1">Dragonfly was a constant companion for me while I lived in the Southeast. Its message to me that my efforts are maturing and my spiritual path is clearly ahead certainly seems true for me right now and maybe for you, too? </span></div>
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<div class="p2"><span class="s1">That Dragonfly represents transformation seems to be a universally held belief. I have been consciously transforming myself since I left home at 18 with a lot of self-hate and anger, low self-esteem and feelings of inadequacy (sound familiar to anyone?) I thought something was wrong with me and I would unknowingly sabotage myself, make un-wise decisions and then beat myself up about it. </span></div>
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<div class="p2"><span class="s1">But the thing is, I couldn’t put a name to what I was feeling or figure out how to make changes to feel better in a lasting way. This is a very vulnerable position to be in because it’s easy for some to fall prey to drug and alcohol abuse or religious groups and cults that say they have the truth or answers you’re looking for. What they really want is to be able to manipulate and control you through guilt and fear with the illusion of hope.</span></div>
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<div class="p2"><span class="s1">There was no road map for me to follow. No career counselor, or life coach. So, what guided me? Basically, the same thing that guides a Dragonfly nymph in the water to transform itself into the flying aerial acrobat. It’s instinct. It’s the inner guidance, the inner voice, the inner knowing. It doesn’t happen overnight. We have to learn to trust this voice, believe in ourselves and have the courage to follow it. Therein lies is our inner truth. </span></div>
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<div class="p2"><span class="s1">Most of Dragonfly’s life span is spent as a nymph . . . in the water . . . in the transforming stage . . . an adult dragonfly at its peak, only lives about two months. </span></div>
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<div class="p2"><span class="s1">This is so symbolic. All of our lives, we are “becoming”, transforming, changing, and growing. Even if you think you’re as good, or as perfect or as enlightened as you can possibly get, you are still transforming all the way to spirit body when we finally leave our physical body behind. </span></div>
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<div class="p2"><span class="s1">What belief finally overtook every false belief I had been taught as a child? It was the belief that my heart was my altar. I called it the “altar of my heart”. I placed everything on the altar of my heart. If it made my heart sing then it was right the right choice for me, a good decision to make, the right direction to move. But, if it made me feel uneasy, anxious, nervous (and occasionally, nauseous!) then I knew it was the wrong choice for me to make.</span></div>
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<div class="p2"><span class="s1">I love reading non-fiction and a couple of years ago, I read Ken Carey’s book, <b>Return of the Bird Tribes. </b>This book resonated with me and confirmed for me what I had already felt. It was my inner truth expressed so beautifully. </span></div>
<div class="p2"><span class="s1">“Without acquiring another life-skill, without acquiring anything but complete and utter trust in the guidance system that you were born with, you have everything you need to interact optimally, creatively, and productively with every situation you encounter. There is no exception.” </span></div>
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<div class="p2"><span class="s1">He went on to write, "When you doubt your native ability to breathe the air of spirit into your world and create according to your divine thought, you are doubting both God and the universe. You are rejecting life's most precious gift to you---your own inner knowing---and you are presuming to replace it with values, judgments and opinions you have acquired secondhand." </span></div>
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<div class="p2"><span class="s1">I recently performed my Dragonfly medley at the Chehaw Native American Festival in Georgia. I could see dragonflies flitting all around me, but to be honest, I sometimes go off in my own world when I perform and surround myself with the animals of the music I’m playing (but that’s another blog!) But, afterwards, a fan came to the booth very excited to show me the video he took of me and the Dragonflies that joined me; darting in close and then flying like mad around the circle only to dance with me again. </span></div>
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<div class="p2"><span class="s1">What was the message did they bring me? </span></div>
<div class="p2"> </div>
<div class="p2"><span class="s1">Well, the first lesson is to dance and play. Life is short for us as well as a Dragonfly, if you only have 2 months left to live as an adult Dragonfly, you should dance and play as much as possible. Stream the <a href="http://memberdata.s3.amazonaws.com/ar/arvel/audio/arvel_audio_55467_175937935.mp3"><span class="s2">Dragonfly song</span></a> (on <a href="http://www.arvelbird.com/shop_music"><span class="s2">Animal Totems 2 CD</span></a>) to dance to! Send me a video (G Rated) of you dancing to Dragonfly. Send me your dance moves for more inspiration! Feel the grace and beauty of the song which is the feeling I got from watching Dragonfly dance.</span></div>
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<div class="p2"><span class="s1">Second, Dragonfly medicine always beckons us to seek out the habits that we want or need to change. Have you noticed how agile, fluid and graceful Dragonfly is? It is a great lesson to NOT be rigid in what I think I know and what I think I don’t know because it can show up as joint stiffness and affect my performance. As a violinist, it’s imperative to be fluid and have easy movement of my body. If I don’t learn to let go of old ideas and emotions that no longer work for me I could get stuck in the past. Being judgmental or critical of myself or others can also lead to the same outcome and inhibit my ability to continue my life’s passion - playing music. Music is my expression of source. </span></div>
<div class="p2"> </div>
<div class="p2"><span class="s1">Third, Dragonfly asked: “Have you forgotten <b>why</b> you do what you do?” Music is the medicine that I share and as a healer I can’t expect anything in return or the medicine doesn’t exist. It must be given freely with love. </span></div>
<div class="p2"><span class="s1">The power of the Dragonfly is the power of becoming the illusion (not “delusion”). The ability to “become” the vision you seek is alway changing because you are always creating something new. YOU (all of us) are creating it all.</span></div>
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<div class="p3"><span class="s3">For more information on Arvel Bird, contact us at <a href="mailto:info@arvelbird.com"><span class="s4">info@arvelbird.com</span></a> or visit <a href="http://www.arvelbird.com/"><span class="s4">http://www.arvelbird.com</span></a> or <a href="http://www.facebook.com/thearvel"><span class="s4">http://www.facebook.com/thearvelbird</span></a></span></div>
<div class="p4"> </div>Arvel Bird | Celtic Indiantag:arvelbird.com,2005:Post/41300912016-04-10T22:57:00-04:002020-09-16T20:06:11-04:00Crouching Tiger<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/193795/bc50415f18d453edb4e3b71d0b74e1e0b1737caf/original/ntif-sun-viol-side.jpg?1472152388" class="size_l justify_center border_" />No other big cat in the world fascinates people more than the Tiger. As a result of my association with the Endangered Animal Rescue Sanctuary in Citrus, Florida, (EARS, Inc.), I have had the great honor to spend time observing and basking in the energy of these giant cats.</span><span class="s2"> Whether White Tigers, Snow Tiger, Siberian Tigers or Bengal Tigers, as well as a Liger (the biggest of all), </span><span class="s1">I can still conjure up that feeling of their awesome power and beauty when I need it most. </span>
</div>
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<div class="p1"><span class="s1">Tiger isn’t one of the power animal totems I was born with, but in the last couple of years, Tiger has shown up as a temporary or passing totem to help me create a new path on my life’s journey. </span></div>
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<div class="p1"><span class="s1">My new CD and its subsequent T-shirt both feature the face from a photograph I took of T-Man, an adult Tiger that I sat near and shared my music with him. Although very powerful, he has a gentle spirit and shows his acceptance by “chuffing” and closing his eyes. </span></div>
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<div class="p2"><span class="s1">Tiger is also keeping me on task with my True Work in life which, as a spiritual entertainer, is an important aspect of my ability to connect with my Source energy and share music and stories with the global Community. </span></div>
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<div class="p2"><span class="s1">When it’s time for an animal totem to work with you on a project or a time in your life, you will become much more aware of it: in books, fetishes, paintings, cards, songs your dreams, meditation, conversations, tracks, movies, etc. </span></div>
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<div class="p2"><span class="s1">In my transition time, Tiger is helping me move forward, pushing me onward and not letting fear of the unknown stop me. But it’s also showing me a balanced way to accomplish my True Work -- I have to remember to balance it with play, rest, and study for maximum results. Again, just like the entertainer in me, Tiger wants to be center stage -- to be seen, recognized and known. </span></div>
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<div class="p2"><span class="s1">In my efforts to understand the transition I am going through and the direction it is taking me, I took a Shamanic Journey with the question of “What core beliefs am I still carrying that are blocking me from emerging into the new light?” </span></div>
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<div class="p2"><span class="s1">Just as I settled into the journey, Tiger approached me in a crouched and stalking posture ... its eyes were fixed on me. It was so real, it started me. Even though I knew in spirit nothing could hurt me, it was overwhelming to watch this large animal approaching and me having no defenses. </span></div>
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<div class="p2"><span class="s1">I remember thinking, “What can I do to protect myself?” I realized I could nothing, but surrender. I dropped to my knees and bowed my head. Tiger reached me and sniffed my face and head. To my surprise, it began grooming me with its tongue. Just for reference, the barbs on the tongue of a tiger are so stiff and sharp that it can literally remove the fur and skin of a prey animal, which is obviously very useful to a physical tiger. </span></div>
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<div class="p3"><span class="s1">I waited for my skin to be ripped to shreds but instead his tongue didn’t seem to touch my skin, only my spirit. After sufficient grooming the tiger circled me, rubbed up against me and then laid down facing me, watching me. . . with those eyes.</span></div>
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<div class="p3"><span class="s1">This was a significant encounter and one for which I continue to see clarification. I have discovered through study that Tigers have antiseptic saliva and they lick their wounds to disinfect them. So the action of the Tiger licking and grooming me during the journey tells me that Tiger was cleansing me and healing old emotional wounds. These wounds don’t have to be remembered by me or relived. I only have to acknowledge them and show gratitude for the action taken by Tiger. </span></div>
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<div class="p3"><span class="s1">Just writing about this spirit journey I’ve received much more clarity of the new vision, opening up awareness of new products, new projects, new opportunities complete with new timelines.</span></div>
<div class="p3"> </div>
<div class="p3"><span class="s1">Now I can feel myself going into a “fear” mode before it becomes overwhelming and I can take another step into my new dream. One of my favorite quotes is from a Will Smith movie “After Earth” when he tells his son, “Danger is real, fear is a choice.” The unknown can be scary, but my response to it doesn’t have to be fear, I can replace it with “wonder”, “amazement”, or even “excitement”.</span></div>
<div class="p3"> </div>
<div class="p3"><span class="s1">While I continue working through old emotional baggage (and who doesn’t have that?), I can identify what thoughts and emotions it triggers. That’s a huge step because most of our emotions are created by conditioned responses and knee-jerk reactions, so the earlier I can catch it, the earlier I can focus myself on my new direction.</span></div>
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<div class="p3"><span class="s1">According to Ted Andrews’ book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007GAYNLY/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?ie=UTF8&btkr=1"><span class="s3">Animal Speaks</span></a>, Tiger is telling me to expect an expansion of my power and sensibilities, but to control my passions and don’t let them become unpredictable. Remain focused, be patient and that will help me achieve my goal more quickly. I am ready for a new adventure, one that may present new challenges, but will introduce exciting changes in my life. How about you? Are you ready for exciting changes in your life? </span></div>
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<div class="p3"><span class="s1">The Amur Tiger is one of the endangered animals I composed music for on my latest CD <a href="http://www.arvelbird.com/shop_music"><span class="s3">Animal Totems 3, Endangered Animal Species</span></a>. I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed the inspiration of Tiger.</span></div>
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<div class="p4"><span class="s1">To learn more about your True Work, True Play, True Rest and True Study, visit <a href="http://www.michaelteachings.com/"><span class="s3">The Michael Teachings</span></a>. </span></div>Arvel Bird | Celtic Indiantag:arvelbird.com,2005:Post/41180612016-04-01T15:45:00-04:002020-07-06T00:06:11-04:00Bears<div class="p1" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="s1"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/193795/1da6b002c92b927d0c30d0f484f7208f35e39ec1/original/arvel2-michaelpawluk.jpg?1462660063" class="size_l justify_center border_" />Anyone who has followed me and my music for any length of time, knows I have a long-standing spiritual and practical relationship with animals - domestic and wild. Long before I began composing the <a href="http://www.arvelbird.com/shop_music" target="_blank">Animal Totems CD</a> series, the 4 leggers, winged ones, creepy crawlers and more had significance in my life, but it took me years of self-discovery to listen and understand what the significance was. </span></div>
<div class="p1" style="text-align: justify;"> </div>
<div class="p1" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="s1">The funny thing is when your mind is running wild, creating new chatter or thoughts or making judgments about an experience, you aren't receiving benefit of the message. I credit music with my innate ability to focus on one idea, project or song exclusively, so that when I meditate, journey, or do ceremony I can focus on the question at hand, asking silently (or aloud) "What message do you have for me?" The thing that is weighing heavily on my mind will become clearer, so then I can observe and listen. I love that part.</span></div>
<div class="p1" style="text-align: justify;"> </div>
<div class="p1" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="s1">Have you ever felt that God, the Universe, the One, Allah, Jehovah speaks to you in prayer? Or maybe you get a "feeling" in response to a question you've asked quietly or out loud? Have you ever had a stranger in a restaurant say just the one thing you needed to hear in that moment. Or you see a bumper sticker or a post on Facebook that gave you pause to consider something going on in your life. That's all very good and necessary, but it's very passive. </span></div>
<div class="p1" style="text-align: justify;"> </div>
<div class="p1" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="s1">In my blog, I'd like to help you be more deliberate in seeing the answers and messages. When you do this, you might be changing the course of a situation or question and yes, even your future, before the issue becomes overwhelming and you have to start doing "damage control". </span></div>
<div class="p1" style="text-align: justify;"> </div>
<div class="p1" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="s1">By studying your Animal Totems you are taking a pro-active approach to creating your life, breaking long standing beliefs, creating change in your life, or to just show appreciation for the Creator's beasts on a regular basis. It doesn't take any special training, you already have everything it takes to receive messages from anywhere you see them. You just have to pay attention. </span></div>
<div class="p1" style="text-align: justify;"> </div>
<div class="p1" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="s1">There are universal truths (or laws) such as gravity, cardinal directions, seasons, etc. and once I began paying attention, I realized that each animal encounter was in fact improving my life in some way, large and small. Not all are "power" or "birth" totems, but make no mistake, ALL animals have a message.</span></div>
<div class="p1" style="text-align: justify;"> </div>
<div class="p1" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="s1">I mean, using our totems isn't exactly a new concept. In the early days, when I would see an animal out of context or one repeatedly crossing my path, my thoughts were "well, that was cool . . . but so what?" </span></div>
<div class="p1" style="text-align: justify;"> </div>
<div class="p1" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="s1">In facilitating the many <a href="http://www.arvelbird.com/workshops" target="_blank">animal totems workshops</a> for the last few years to share the work I and many others before me have done, I found one question consistent throughout new students: “How does knowing my totem animals make my life better?” </span></div>
<div class="p1" style="text-align: justify;"> </div>
<div class="p1" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="s1">With that in mind, I decided to start my "On the Road with Arvel Bird and Other Animal Totems" blog and share the animal totems that are coming to me through physical contact, sightings, dreams, and my own journeys.</span></div>
<div class="p1" style="text-align: justify;"> </div>
<div class="p1" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="s1">Being in Florida for the past four weeks has made it possible for me to observe many animals and birds; in the wild, in sanctuaries, and encounters in the spiritual realm from shamanic journeys. </span></div>
<div class="p1" style="text-align: justify;"> </div>
<div class="p1" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="s1">Squirrel, bear, hawk, eagle, osprey, great blue heron, cardinal, mockingbird, crow, snake, lizard, frog, fiddler crab, dolphin, coyote, butterfly, dragonfly, ant, turkey, white egret, tiger, leopard, monkey, lion, deer, wolf, horse, cougar, grouse, and otter. </span></div>
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<div class="p1" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="s1">Each week I’m going to share how these encounters are </span><span class="s2">making my life better, filling my life with magic and wonderment. I've gone through periods in my life when I saw the wonder in NOTHING. I felt so disconnected from not only the animals and mother earth, but from others and I don't like that feeling.</span>
</div>
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<div class="p1" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="s1">This week I want to focus on Bear. In this case, the Florida Black Bear. </span>My long association with the bear spirit has given me my inner power. So that when I journey I usually envision him as a large, giant black bear that I can ride. I mean, who is gonna challenge my power when I'm riding on the back of a huge black bear, right? </div>
<div class="p1" style="text-align: justify;"> </div>
<div class="p1" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="s1">In early March, when I had the opportunity to re-visit a rescue facility that I've become fond of, I took it. I was with a tour group lead by Sue, a most loyal supporter of animals; and Gayle, the one time circus lion-tamer, turned big cat protector and giver of sanctuary to all animals, at <a href="http://www.earsinc.net/" target="_blank">Endangered Animals Rescue Sanctuary</a> (EARS) in Citra, FL.</span></div>
<div class="p1" style="text-align: justify;"> </div>
<div class="p1" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="s1">Once inside, three of the four <a href="http://myfwc.com/bear/" target="_blank">Florida Black Bears</a>-in-residence came to the fence to check us out. The two brothers and another full grown male were healthy, well fed and cared for. I would guess their average weight to be around 400 lbs. Since Florida Bears don’t hibernate, they didn’t seem to mind us interrupting their naps in the cool shade and soon begin playing like cubs, romping, running, obviously quite content with their home. </span></div>
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<div class="p1" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="s1">By contrast, the four wild Florida Black Bears consisted of a mama bear and her three cubs, which looked to be about a year old. It was about 11pm on a Tuesday night when I saw them wander out of the woods towards our motorhome, all four intent on checking out our garbage to see what they could eat. It didn’t take long for them to have everything laid out like a huge smorgasbord. </span></div>
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<div class="p1" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="s1">After dinner, it was time to play and explore around our car and motorhome while Mama bear rested in the cool sand nearby. One by one they sauntered back to the strewn garbage and had another go at it before disappearing into the woods. </span></div>
<div class="p1" style="text-align: justify;"> </div>
<div class="p1" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="s1">Experiencing the bears both in captivity and in nature increased my love for them and their family characteristics. In nature, animals are truly experiencing freedom to the fullest. Though they may not be getting a full meal everyday, they still made time to have fun and to rest before continuing their journey.</span></div>
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<div class="p1" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="s1">Although I wouldn't have missed that opportunity to see them up close and personal (20 feet from garbage and about 3 feet at our motorhome door), in the future I will make sure not to leave garbage so readily available. </span></div>
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<div class="p1" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="s1">The next morning while I re-bagged the garbage, I smiled to myself thinking it was the price of admission to their world. </span></div>
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<div class="p1" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="s1">I recorded a story about the <a href="http://memberdata.s3.amazonaws.com/ar/arvel/audio/arvel_audio_55465_1700388992.mp3" target="_blank">Bear Totem</a> on my <a href="http://www.arvelbird.com/shop_music" target="_blank">Storyteller CD</a>. You can also listen to and share the music of my <a href="http://memberdata.s3.amazonaws.com/ar/arvel/audio/arvel_audio_55429_845951217.mp3" target="_blank">Bear Totem “Mato”</a> on the CAMA awarded “Best Instrumental” <a href="http://www.arvelbird.com/shop_music" target="_blank">Animal Totems</a> CD.</span></div>
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<div class="p1" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="s1">I’m in a transitional period in my life and sometimes I get very stressed not knowing where the transition is going to take me. But the bears reminded me that even though I don’t have all the answers right now, I don’t know <b>how</b> everything’s going to work out, but I just know it IS going to work out in divine timing. I’ve set the wheels in motion for my future, so now I can relax and have fun.</span></div>
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<div class="p1" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="s1">Thank you. I'd appreciate it if you would share my blog with your friends or family whom you feel would be interested in the animals, my music or my stories.</span></div>
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<div class="p1" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="s1">I’ll see you next week for more stories of Animal Totems. Arvel</span></div>Arvel Bird | Celtic Indiantag:arvelbird.com,2005:Post/40296692016-02-07T17:31:31-05:002020-09-16T20:07:58-04:002016 - Off to an interesting start!<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/193795/c887b7e0a400c3eaa28f50003a904fcfb65e559f/original/workshopimage.jpg?1462931924" class="size_l justify_center border_" />February is already well underway and I haven't blogged in a few months, so I've gotta catch up in 2500 words or less (just kidding). </p>
<p>Now that we're back in Arizona, we've been able to enjoy some chill time and that's no reflection of the abnormally cold temperatures here in the Valley! Dang it's been cold, but I'm happy to say that by early next week, it'll be in the low 80s, above normal, even for Arizona. </p>
<p>In early December, after a flurry of gigs in Southern Arizona, Northern Arizona and finally Central Arizona, I took a couple of weeks off to visit Peru -- Kimberly opted to stay in Mesa where she could visit family for the holidays. <br><br>I returned on a Monday, December 28, went to the doctor on 29th at which time he scheduled me for surgery on the 30th. This presented a problem because I had a concert to do at the Boyce Thompson Arboretum on News Years Day . . . 36 hours later!<br><br>Thanks to the amazing surgical skills of Dr. Abdo in Mesa, great home nursing care by Kimberly, help at the gig by Dan Armstrong, Beverly Armstrong and Teresa Seggerman, I was set up and ready to go at noon on New Years Day -- we had over 1000 people to celebrate the New Year with us outdoors under a sunny warm sky.<br><br>On the other side of the coin, we made an emergency run to a veterinary hospital in Blythe, California on January 20 when our young dog, Katie Isabella, sprinted out the door while I was checking the new armature that was installed, ran down the motorhome stairs and under the wheels of a repair truck. She had several pelvic fractures and a tummy full of stitches, but here it is 2 weeks on and she's walking a LITTLE, the stitches are removed and she seems to be on the road to full recovery. Thank you for all the well-wishers!<br><br>Now today, it's Super Bowl Sunday and it's time to put the pizza in the over so we can take it to the party with our friends Dan and Bev. </p>Arvel Bird | Celtic Indian