I’m heading west on a roadtrip to visit an Elephant Sanctuary. For years, I’ve told friends I might leave everything behind and go to Africa and live with the elephants! Though I haven’t made that leap, elephants have taken up residence in my heart. I’m thrilled to have a chance to get a glimpse of these majestic animals, even if from afar.
The elephants, tigers and bears living in the sanctuary have been freed from circuses and zoos. The public is only allowed to visit a handful of days each year, and just a small group of people each time. There is no direct contact with the animals. They are no longer required to perform. They’ve been released from the bondage they’ve been caged inside for decades, having been stolen from their homes and families, harmed, malnourished, isolated from kin, and forced to abide by the demands of humans.
Now these magnificent creatures have a chance to remember their instinctive nature. Re-embody elephantness. Reclaim tigerhood. Reawaken the natural ways of being bear. They are free to choose where they go, what they do, when they eat and sleep, and who they befriend. Their intelligence, curiosity and languages can more openly be expressed. There is spaciousness to heal the effects of the trauma. They are finding their footing and learning to trust in life again, to delight in life again, in their own timing and pace.
While packing up food, clothes, ceremonial bundles, and maps, I’ve been pondering liberation. Freedom is everybody’s birthright. The freedom to be who you are, to live your genuine way of being, is your birthright ~ whether you’re elephant, tiger or bear, sunflower, microbe, river or human, rainforest, starfish or spider, lizard, raven or wind. There are sacred purposes in everyone and everything’s existence in the incomprehensible wonder of creation.
Freedom does not mandate consensus and sameness. Freedom doesn’t require losing yourself, becoming someone or something you’re not. Freedom won’t be birthed by genocide and endless war, by believing the lies about who’s superior or inferior and who’s worthy or not of respect and love. Freedom won’t be found by caging others in, by dehumanizing and denaturing the mind, body and spirit of anyone or anything.
Everybody ~ each and every body ~ all sizes, shapes, colors, self-expressions, and purposes, all intellects, lifespans, species and forms ~ is deserving of fresh air and clean water, ample nourishment, sunlight and fertile soil, and plenty of room to roam, to love and be loved, to rest, heal, learn and grow.
Remember how it feels to love ourselves and each other into flourishing existence? Freedom grows from the inside out and from the outside in.
Each of us has the potential to set ourselves and others free. What doors are you yearning to open in your life? And for others? What judgments and fears, walls and false borders, need to be dismantled inside ourselves and in our world? Whose voices are calling out ~ not only in human languages ~ for essential care, equity, respect and understanding? What new kinships are you ready to weave?
Freedom is filled with boundless love for life, with choices and discernment, with cherishing of uniqueness, with awe and curiosity about being and becoming.
Freedom flows within us and between us, a generous infinite sharing from one being or group or species to another and back. The gift of our own and others’ liberation ripples into the human collective and gets woven into the web of life on earth. The gift of our own and others’ liberation leaves a legacy for the generations now and to come.
Here’s to listening and seeing with the eyes of the heart, to shaping our relationships and filling our words with unbridled and steadfast knowing that freedom is everyone’s birthright.
Here’s to sharing the Love that opens door after door so everybody can flourish and simply be who they are, wildly unique and free.
Safe travels, my friend
Thank you ❤️
I dreamed about this last night it you were on my mind all day yesterday. I knew the time was coming and I can hardly wait to hear about this incredible adventure. It is a dream come tru for you and I am thrilled for you. Many deeply fantastic things will happen! Safe travels, no fear, and be one with the animals!
Thank you from my heart to your heart,
JoAnne
Oh, dearest friend…may the journey fill your heart with joy, overflowing love, and gratitude for all of life. May you set your soul free!
Endless blessings, as you journey on..to meet the elephants, and yourself.
Much love,
Susan
Thank you for sharing in the joy!
from my heart to the heart of the elephants to your heart,
JoAnne
The human mind is a terrible thing to waste on the confinement of opinions. Enjoy your journey dear JoAnne!
Thank you!
I’m so happy for you to be following your Freedom! and for helping me to remember mine! Much LOVE
Heart to Heart, Freedom to Freedom, Gratitude to Gratitude,
JoAnne
Great post. I fell in love with elephants by reading the book “Life, Love, and Elephants” by Dame Daphne Sheldrick. Please carry the love of this stranger with you as you bless the elephants. Thank you in freedom.
Your love will be carried with me in my journey and passed along to the elephants.
Heart to Heart,
JoAnne
This is so beautiful. look forward to the gifts we will receive from you experiences at the Elephant Sancturay. Love to you.
Thank you, Barb. Look forward to sharing the gifts!
Heart to Heart,
JoAnne
Thank you for sharing, JoAnne. What a beautiful story. I look forward to “Chapter 2” 🙂 May it be deep and magical.
With Love and Blessings to you
Thank you for your well-wishings, Julie!
Here’s to the magic!
Heart to Heart,
JoAnne
Awesome journey! Bless you and the animals. They will feel your generous heart blessing them. And what a wonderful story awaits for us to hear when you share it with us. Be free. May we all be released from bondages and live in the heart.
Yes, here’s to everyone’s freedom! Thank you, Robin!
Heart to Heart,
JoAnne
JoAnne, I’m so happy to hear about your special pilgrimage. I hope you write a post after about your experiences with these most beautiful of friends and allies and messengers.
Thank you, Shruthi!
Heart to Heart,
JoAnne