48 Pounds of Grace

Something unexpected to start the New Year

“Graces comes into the soul, as the morning sun into the world; first a dawning, then a light and at last the sun in his full and excellent brightness.”
~Thomas Adams

I wasn’t wholeheartedly looking and it wouldn’t be until Spring, if even then. Glancing occasionally through the PetFinder website offered a little hope, perhaps a brief reprieve from grief.

On October 31, 2024, my beloved German Shepherd Raven left this plane. I’m not one who believes this one life is all we have so I prefer the phrase passed on vs died. Years ago while attending a crystal healing workshop led by a Scottish woman, she said some refer to death as “popping off” — I like that, the thought of popping off to somewhere else.

A few days after my latest Petfinder quick look, I read animal shelters could be a better option than a rescue organization. And there she was, at the Westerly Animal Shelter! I felt an immediate connection. The morning of December 31 I drove to Westerly, Rhode Island to inquire about “Chickie”. It’s impossible to sense a personality within a full kennel area. Yikes! That was the loudest area I’ve ever been. I needed an appointment for a “meet and greet” session but I did get myself prequalified to adopt from that shelter while there. January 3rd I went back to meet the sweetest little girl pup. I was nervous about making a rash decision so I asked the Universe, and Raven, for a sign. I didn’t notice anything but we seemed to connect well, at least the best you can tell in a busy shelter. The dog warden came into our room and shared his story about believing his previous beagle made him aware of the one he has now. When the shelter coordinator came to check on us, I said, “Yes, I want to take her.”

While filling out the adoption paperwork, I saw that her file number was D24-111. Chickie was the 111th dog in 2024 that the shelter had taken in. That was my message, the angel number 111.

“111 signifies that things in your life are coming into divine alignment. The process of everything lining up for the best is underway and you’re meant to have faith and stand strong in the midst of the process, right now!”

I know it may seem wrong to change a dog’s name, but Chickie wasn’t going to work for me. She was officially adopted as Gracie. Gracie is about 2 years old and 48 pounds of pure love.

✨ Reminder: Ask for signs. Notice when you least expect them. Be open to the magic.

Gracie’s first night out of the shelter.

Living Gracefully in 2025

If you read my post, Finding Grace in the Fog, you know my word for 2025 is GRACE. I’ve always referred to it as choosing a theme word for the year, and I’m sure you’ve been seeing lots of others’ posts and Notes about it. I love that

Summer Koester

refers to it as a “compass word”— so much more appropriate, a direction to head towards.

The definition of grace I will be working with is: living with a sense of ease, flow, and a quiet, compassionate presence in one’s life.

Here are some practices I will be working with and deepening into during 2025, and beyond, on my journey to add more grace into my life:

• be more present and notice the moment

• loosen up on control and perfectionism

• acceptance of what is

• journal moments of glimmers

• gentle movement

• continue to simplify my life

• more time connecting with Nature

• be more receptive to receiving and listening deeply

• reconnecting with my intuition and spirit

• foster more compassion, gratitude, and forgiveness towards self and others

What once was hurt
What once was friction
What left a mark
No longer stings…
Because Grace makes beauty
Out of ugly things.

U2 - Grace

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Peace, Love & Blessings,

Tania

If something I wrote inspired or brightened your day a little, or anything else you’d like to share… I’d be very grateful to hear about it in the comments. A restack or clicking the little heart 💜 for a “like” would always be appreciated.