Don't expect a photo with this post - I wasn't about to get the camera out!
Several times I've seen them since I've been here (Florida that is - see my other blog -www.rawinscotland.com . One was at least a metre long, black, and snaking rapidly across the path. One was small and brightly striped and not moving so fast. Each time I stopped, stock still and watched, not wanting to attract any attention until the snake was well on its way. I was glad I didn't tread on either so felt a twinge of relief each time that the snake seemed to be on its own journey and not ready to engage with me in any way. It wasn't scary though, just interesting. Two for the I-Spy book of snakes or a Girl Guide badge perhaps.
It reminded me of when years ago I spent weeks in a forest monastery in Thailand and was once sitting meditating by myself a little away from the huts in a slightly jungly patch of trees. As I opened my eyes I saw a large snake, at least a metre long (or has it been growing in my imagination in the interim?) slithering , left to right, less than two feet in front of me. I was in such a calm state from meditating that I was completely unfazed.
Probably a more helpful reaction in the circumstances than panic or fear!
In the moment when something potentially dangerous is going on, choosing to stay calm, uninvolved actually, is a helpful choice. When there is old contitioning there may be fear or panic and I think it's important to remember you have a choice about how you respond to past contitioning.
When there's an overtly emotional reaction it may actually make the situation worse - I wonder whether a frightened snake or a snake in the vicinity of a sudden flurry of human activity is more likely to bite?
What is there snaking around in your reality that is actually better ignored? Responses to this appreciated - I think it's an important topic.
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