Wolf and I

Photo by Alessio Albi

Last night I encountered a wolf.  We stared each other down, circling, anticipating the other's next move. The trees surrounding us were tall like towering spectators, majestic...waiting in silence for the fall of the fight. A signal to the brain fired inside my head like a shot from a rifle, channeling movement into my foot. Cautiously and ever so slowly, I eased forward. Holding my breath for seconds of 3, 2, 1... and the game had begun. Battle was activated. He released a low, ascending growl from his throat, showing his teeth, and then lunged toward me in a storm of rage. I had to think fast. I had to find his weak spot. Natural instincts should have kicked in, initiating a fight-or-flight response. I could feel the adrenaline pulsing through my veins. That peak moment of sheer panic, just before the blood could reach my heart and spike in pressure, everything stopped. Everything began dissolving into slow motion. Complete silence. Death was staring me in the face, just inches from my eyes. My heart rate suddenly dropped as an overwhelming feeling of peace came over me. All within fractions of a second, time stood still. I realized I was fighting against fear itself. Surely the power within me was greater than this...this thing. I filled my lungs with air, softened my gaze, and with great force bit his left ear, clamping my teeth shut. This assertion of dominance calmed his anger, turning fear from it's physical form of a wolf into a puppy. 

He backed away, bowing out in humility, then leapt forward in excitement. He became a companion and followed me everywhere with a cheerful and loyal spirit, and never left my side. 

​Today's post may not be directly related to art, but this dream that I had was so profound and thought provoking that I had to share. Fear will stare you in the face and laugh, saying "You can't do this, who do you think you are? You are all alone." But that fear is only a puppy with a boisterous growl; a puppy that only needs to be reminded of your true identity. 
1 John 4:4

xoxo Alexa