January 02, 2012

Courage and Passion.

"Courage to let go of fears and insecurities, courage to take a leap of faith, courage to surrender to our destiny and ultimately courage to give into love and to life itself, despite the incredible uncertainty of the future.
And I intend to be courageous with a fiery passion, as passion is what I do best."


The above lines were the final sentences in my post almost exactly a year ago. Today they feel so ominous, as they are the very essence of the experiences, which defined 2011 for me.

Brand new twelve months await and as we enter January and our reality is once again a pristine canvas, so much has the possibility to unfold.
Being in an entirely different place than I was a year ago, I still wish to be courageous with passion, as I will truly need a lot of both to get me through 2012. I know without any doubt that hardship awaits, but I hope that it will be lessened by the love and happiness that fills my heart.

A few days back, when I brought the large case filled with empty containers back into the house from our garage, in order to pack away our Christmas ornaments, a sudden movement within one of the boxes startled me. A dark small shape jumped into my view, only to disappear deeper into the trunk, small feet scurrying within the case, under all the tinsel and ornament crates, causing me to hold my breath and freeze with surprise. I grabbed the case and carried it quickly outside, far away from Sammy's proximity (the cat). Removing all the empty boxes one by one, I finally reached the bottom of the trunk and the small culprit, that has chewed its contents into pieces. A little mouse stared right back at me, its eyes dark like two onyx buttons, the nose pink and ears drawn back. Crouching in the corner, paralyzed by fear, it stood still long enough for me to get a few snapshots, watching me intensely before vanishing into the shrubs through a small hole in the case.

I had to smile with amusement, as this was my first close encounter with a mouse ever. Contemplating this I realized that even though considered vermin and a nuisance, mice are actually very symbolic animals.
Having a distinctive place in the Chinese horoscope, a mouse or a rat stands for frugality, determination, perseverance and courage and even new beginnings and rebirth. And then there is the fable of The Lion and The Mouse, a favourite of mine ever since I was a child.

Thus I guess my chance meeting with a cute rodent was indeed allegorical. A small vivacious animal that found enough courage to look me in the eye, as if to remind me to be courageous myself, embracing - with fiery passion - all that awaits down the line.

37 comments:

Elizabeth said...

Will the mous become your butterfly?

Enjoy your evening, talk to you soon.

Kath said...

Oh look at that darling little face!
I am so looking forward to seeing what 2012 has in store for you and sharing your triumphs
Hapy new Year, lovely girl xx

Brian Miller said...

well after the year you just had, i am looking forward to the encore...smiles...cool on seeing the mouse...one of hte boys i work with his mom found a baby one the size of a nickle and bottle fed it...was cute for sure..

Unknown said...

Happy Happy New Year dear Zuzana! I can only imagine your new love will grow stronger and your bonds tighten with your new family. Thank you for your visit today and throughout the year my friend across the world!
xo
Deb

G said...

Oh, I can't help myself, I think mice are so cute! We were lucky too, years ago, just finding the one.... you don't want more than that in a house. :)

One mouse per house seems fine to me. I love this post and its reflections back and forward. The best for you in 2012, dear Zuzana!

SandyCarlson said...

A beautiful and insightful post. I need to remember these things as I take your advice and leap forward. All in its time, eh?

Your mouse is adorable.

Rahul Bhatia said...

God has given space to all living beings to find their own space...nice post

Jerry said...

As I become older I see that I begin to understand the importance of omens. Intellectually I guess I could speculate that we can make anything we want out of anything. But, if you choose to make an omen important I figure you have pointed your soul in a particular direction.

I adore the direction you are pointed.

Please continue forward with confidence and love, my very dear friend.

sprinkles said...

Welcome back! I hope you're holidays were beautiful.

Your little mouse is cute!

Margie said...

Oh, I too love that fable, The Lion and The Mouse!
What a sweet picture of that little mouse!

May this New Year bring you much joy, dear Zuzana.

Margie xo

Elisabeth said...

What a surprise visit, Zuzana and your picture of that rodent is charming. Makes you wonder why people become so hysterical when they see a mouse.

Happy New Year to you, Zuzana and may all the good things that have been happening to you of late continue and get even better.

Ruby said...

Those lines are the perfect start to a brand new year!

Anonymous said...

A timely and lovely reminder that patience and bravery pay off!

Wishing you a joyful new year.

S. Susan Deborah said...

The mouse looks so cute with its pink nose and shiney eyes. Zuzana, you have changed a mundane incident into a lively and lovely post. And indeed, that is the spirit.

Wishing you and yours a brilliant and blessed New year 2012.

Joy always,
Susan

lilybets said...

Mice are very sweet,I like so much their black and deep eyes!I found a white hedgehog before the end of last year,what could it means?I DON'T KNOW!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Draffin Bears said...

Happy New year Zuzana, best wishes for good health, happiness, prosperity and blessings.
The little mouse is so sweet. I had an encounter with a rat one day, went to put the vegetable scraps in the compost bin and a rat jumped out at me scaring me so much.

Hugs
Carolyn

Draffin Bears said...

Happy New year Zuzana, best wishes for good health, happiness, prosperity and blessings.
The little mouse is so sweet. I had an encounter with a rat one day, went to put the vegetable scraps in the compost bin and a rat jumped out at me scaring me so much.

Hugs
Carolyn

Anonymous said...

Great post my friend. I believe in life signs. Have you ever heard about Medicine Cards? They are amazing. I have had them for years. I have totem animals and all. If you are interested, email me and I will send you the link to get them. Fascinating for a spiritual person.

Wishing you strength for whatever comes your way Zuzana.

Margie

Rajesh said...

Interesting experience.

Anonymous said...

The little mouse is so cute. Unfortunately, mice get a bad wrap. This little one is precious and courageous : )

Titane333 said...

Happy New year Zuzana, best wishes for good health, happiness, prosperity and blessings. Thank you for your visit on my blog.

It is always good to come across your blog and to know you!

XOXO

Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise) said...

I have to commend you on your bravery to photograph your little visitor. Heeehehef!

You have a beautiful New Year sweetie filled with many unexpected blessins!!! :o)

Jill from Killeny Glen said...

Happy New Year to you Zuzana...I think the words "courageous with passion" are inspiring!

As for your mouse...cute little fellow...best left OUTSIDE! :)

Myrna R. said...

Wow Zuzana, this was so beautifully written. Your life inspires mine, though it is so different. Reading this made me think of my own courage, or lack of it, and the need to face life with its many surprises.

I've been away from blogging for a while. Glad to resume once again and connect once more to you and your warm, loving writing. Missed you.

Amanda Summer said...

what a beautiful story, zuzana - and the foto of the little critter is adorable!

i love the metaphor you draw for the new year - may it be so. wishing you all the best the new year has to offer - may it bring you peace, joy, comfort — and many blessings.

with love,

amanda

xoxo

Lynne said...

Happy New Year Zuzana! It's been great following you through this last monumental year to see you ending it on a high. I wish you every happiness for the year ahead.
Well done for getting the photo of the mouse, they are so quick.

bright star said...

A beautiful little creature! Inspiring words as usual Happy New Year Dear Zuzana!

Velvet Over Steel said...

LOVE, LOVE this post so much, Zuzana!! Beautiful message with elegant words as always! You see the listens and messages all around you and in every journey. Awesome!!

Cute mouse by the way. So glad you saved him from the cat and sent him on his way to spread another sign or message. ;-)

Happy New Year, Zuzana! I know it's going to be a fabulous one for us both!! :-)
Hugs & Many Blessings,
Coreen XO

Hilary said...

I think you're wise to stop and think about what the mouse means.. however you may interpret it.

Frank often tells me that I have mouse vision.. not the passion or courage part.. he's referring to how closely I examine and sift through everything for nuance. He thinks I express "mouse vision" with macro photography. He's probably right.

May your own mouse vision.. courage and passion carry you through many years to come.

And your little rodent friend is adorable.

Donna said...

Oh I love this post, Zuzana! You have such a beautiful way with words, makes me want to rethink the way I look at mice.
Wishing you many blessings in the New Year!

Hugs,
Donna

Ash said...

Beautiful post, Zuzana. I so needed to hear this today. LOVE the first (italicised) paragraph. With your permission, I'm going to copy those lines into my notebook as I want to start each day by reading them.

I wish you a fabulous new year!

PS - Thanks for your very lovely card!

A Lady's Life said...

lol my cat used to bring them in the house and when it couldn't it left offerings outside the door for me to thank me for taking care of him.
He was part of a pack and doing his share to provide.
Little creatures great and small, all want to live :)

Anonymous said...

Such an upbeat, inspiring post!!! Happy, Happy New Year to you & yours, dearest Zuzana!
Hugs,
Zuzu

steviewren said...

Good analogy, I don't suppose that would ever be my thoughts on coming face to face with a mouse...and I have some experience with that!

adrielleroyale said...

I needed to hear this - courage seems to be my word of the new year...I hope I can live up to it :) Blessings to you friend!

Kat_RN said...

Your attitude about the mouse is similar to mine. I think your photo is cute, and I also think they do not belong in the house. They are destructive little critters.
Hope your new year is full of light, love and happiness.
Cheers,
Kat

A Plain Observer said...

Hopefully you won't be cornered in a box while someone bigger than you take pictures...;)
I find mice to be cute creatures. I still don't like them roaming around, but they are cute.
Passion and determination and a healthy dosage of faith and hope is all we need.
Best to you Zuzana