One of my new favorite animals to watch at the zoo is the Otter. The LA Zoo has a new Rainforest of the America's Permanent Exhibit with Otters from South America and they are huge. I have never seen otters this big before. They are magnificent to watch, especially because they are so playful and fun. They love to run and swim and jump in and out of the water for hours at a time. The good things is that they have a great exhibit with so much room that is catered to their needs. There are places people can watch from above or at eye level, and then the best - underwater views that allow visitors the opportunity to watch them twirl and dance underwater as they effortlessly move with the most agile speed. And the sound they make, like a barking cat almost is so cute to hear, especially because when they all get going and form a chorus of clicking the sound is magical. There are times you can literally watch from above as they run from one end of the exhibit to the other and back again over and over seeming to never tire. There were a couple of really young ones there too. For the most part they are very social creatures, as far as interacting with the human crowds around them. Amongst themselves they couldn't get any more social. We as a species could learn a lot from them. They live together and work together, but more than that cooperate and play together. It is an amazing thing to watch and I could do so for hours.
This first picture I keep as the background on my iPhone's lock screen - the picture of the otter sticking it's little head timidly over the top of the waterfall to see over the edge of the rocks. Besides being cute it reminds me when I look at it to always have caution but to not let it hold me back. Eventually I have to jump, we all do. If not at this one then at the next, but eventually action is necessary. That's why Mr. Otter comes over the edge to look out and eventually jump over the edge to gracefully side into the water in front of everyone. It challenges me to let go of things I am holding on to and try new things and live life more. I watched him circle around and around for about five minutes before he finally decided to go in. He would circle around and dart a glance out before sliding back into his little pool of water up above and circling around again. Once he got down below he went to play and had a great time for the next little bit running, sliding, diving, swimming and having a joyful time; all of this after hesitating and learning how to get over the fear of something new and unexpected - in his case all these crazy new strangers looking at his every movement and yelling and screaming while banging on the glass and waving hands in the air. He had a blast and loved every moment after he got over his initial fear. Don't let things hold you back and keep you from all the running, sliding, diving, swimming and playing out there ready for just you. You and just you. You have your own personal Joy out there waiting for you, waiting for only you to come find it and tap into the limitless strength it has in order to make your life better and more joyful. No one else has access to that joy, only you do. So if you don't use it then it truly does go to waste in the Universe. Think about that the next time you hesitate about something, take a moment to say yes to something new today. Give it a shot. Try something you've never tried before and open yourself up to the Joy that's waiting there for you. Remember that otter and swim free, let go and have the time of your life - that's what it's for after all.
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