I Double Dog Dare You

To share what gives you hope...

“Sometimes my thinking gets all out of whack.
That’s when I know that the only way back,
Is to dig up some dirt and bury my nose,
In warm smelly places that tickle my toes.” - Doxie the Doggone Dirty Digger

Something lovely happened Monday when I went to pay the rent. I was handing my check to the kind young woman who runs the front office (a tall, stately person whose wardrobe puts mine to shame) when the manager came out to say hello. “How’s your book coming?” she asked.

I’ve lived in this apartment complex for ten years now so she and I have history. We share a love of dogs, kids, and the natural world so when I mentioned I was working on book five of my CritterKin series she was curious and supportive. “I’ve decided on the title,” I replied. “It’s Doxie the Doggone Dirty Digger - the story of a dachshund who can’t stop digging.”

“I love that,” she exclaimed. “Sounds like he needs a job!”

This of course led to a lively discussion about being different, the importance of finding your place in the world, and updates on the children and pets in our lives.

But the loveliest part of this decidedly lovely chat was having other residents drop by and join the discussion. My complex has residents of all shapes, sizes, ages, and species including a 90-year-old Army vet who collects and shares used books at VA hospitals, two full-of-themselves French bulldogs, and a fluffy white cat who goes for walks on a leash. Smiles, books titles, and stories were exchanged. “Keep us posted on how the book is going,” they said. I left with a smile on my face feeling seen and encouraged.

It was only when I got back to my apartment that I realized that not a word had been spoken about the state of the world at large. Nothing about politics, religion, climate change, or the economy. It’s not that my fellow residents don’t have strong thoughts about all of those subjects. I knew for a fact that I disagree with many of them on many topics, but spending time talking about kids, books, and creatures we love had taken all the negativity out of the equation and given me a much needed break.

Most important of all, I was reminded of one of my core beliefs - that beneath all the disagreements and differences of opinion there is a spark that unites us all. Call it whatever you will, but it’s the stuff of stars, the energy that fuels the planet and everything living here, and ignites our souls. It is goodness, and love, and light and I was gifted with it Monday while paying my rent.

So please don’t forget that you too are starlight and goodness and love. Don’t let the play of duality pull you from your center or distract you from your purpose. Make time to spend time with animals, kids, and people who see and appreciate you. Find and read books that open your life to new ideas and new ways of seeing and being in the world. Go outside each day - bathe in the sun, let the wind brush your cheeks and ruffle your hair, walk/stand barefoot in the grass, talk to trees, and say hello to wild things.

And while you’re at it, please share what you’re reading, writing, drawing, and doing to help you stay sane and centered. We’d all love to know.

Hugs!
Jena

P.S. I want to be clear. I’m not saying we should allow those who have fallen down the rabbit hole of darkness to wreak havoc in the world. Continue, as I do, to call, write, protest, start and join campaigns, groups, and watch parties, speak your mind, and share the tools of resistance. It’s that I believe we have to make time to return to our centers - to focus on what is good and right and important in ourselves and others. As Madeleine L’Engle put it so beautifully in her book, A Wrinkle in Time:

“To love is to be vulnerable; and it is only in vulnerability and risk—not safety and security—that we overcome darkness.” - Madeleine L'Engle

She also said, “Nothing is hopeless; we must hope for everything.”

Copyright 2025 by Jena Ball All Rights Reserved.

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