I woke at 3:30am and decided to walk to the Navy Pier Jewel Tree to watch the sunrise. On the walk home I took the usual route through the marina and when I made the turn to walk east in the pedestrian alley a swarm of crows began to bark and I was surprised to discover it was me who was their target. They followed me the full length (quarter mile) of the alley and when I made the turn into the southbound alley they continued to watch and follow me. Three of the crows worked in tandem, one circling me, another veering to my right and the third dropping from a tree and descending directly at my head. I did not alter my gait or speed and I tried to remain mentally relaxed, although when I exited the alley I could sense tension in my shoulders. The rational explanation is I had entered their mating/nesting territory, but the times I have been warned off territory was from red winged blackbirds and never crows. I suspected another reason they were following me but could not discern what it might be.
I have just returned from an evening walk at the lake. When I was entering the lake path three women hesitated at the path intersection, turned their faces toward me and decided to walk in my direction. They were 50 feet away so I had plenty of time to move to the edge of the path. As we passed they showered great attention toward me and I sensed it was positive attention because the woman in the lead blessed me with a tremendously bright smile and words which I did not hear clearly. My mind and body remained relaxed and I said without breaking stride "you girls are great."
When I was given my spirit name one of the external changes I noticed were people's smiles, particularly when directed at me. None of these passing strangers knew who I was or anything about my history, yet I was constantly being blessed with radiant, sun-bright smiles. What had changed, was I only now noticing the smiles, which were there all along, or was I receiving more smiles than in the past? No matter, I always feel grateful when I am blessed by someone's smile. I try my best to return the smile, knowing all the while it is not as shining or beautiful, and in that sense I don't deserve such blessings.
