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This is the story of two rabbits named
Skye and Snow White. Skye is a beautiful
black and white bunny with deep dark
eyes while Snow White is similar to the
proverbial Easter Bunny, all white with
pink eyes. I adopted Skye from a home
where he had been kept in a small cage
all his life. Every time he was allowed
to leave his prison, he was attacked and
bitten by the alpha rabbit. After
awhile, he no longer wanted to venture
outside. The night I adopted him, I
drove home with him snugly tucked into
my sweatshirt. He shook and shivered the
entire way as I spoke to him in my most
soothing voice reassuring him that he
had hit the jackpot and that he’d be
happy and safe in his new barnyard home.
I was so excited when I carried Skye up
the101 stairs to the barnyard gate where
a full acre of freedom awaited him. Lush
green grass, fresh water, and a cozy
barn filled with sweet smelling barley
hay welcomed him to his new home. As
soon as I set him on the ground, he
hopped the perimeter of the fence until
he found a pile of rusty reject wire
jumbled in a corner. He squeezed into
his new “cage” where he remained a
prisoner of his own device. Day after
day he’d put his nose to the wire to
let me pet |
him
as he nibbled on the carrots I offered,
although he refused to leave his jail.
Snow White arrived a
few months later. She came from a happy
home where she was loved, cuddled, and
free. She was delighted with the
barnyard and all her new animal friends.
She scampered around sniffing every inch
and cranny and would hop back to me for
a quick hug before disembarking on a new
adventure. She bounced over to meet
Skye. They rubbed noses, but it took a
week before she could coax the reluctant
recluse from his trap. Once he relaxed
enough to venture outside, he, too,
began to spend the days exploring with
his new friend, Snow White.
Humans are very much
like Skye and Snow White. When we grow
up in a loving nurturing family, we tend
to more easily adapt to new situations,
people, and places. When we have been
mistreated or abused, we tend to stay
within the walls
of our comfort zone. If we are lucky, we
meet an advocate who nudges us to face
our fears and leave the cells of
confinement behind. Every time I am
overwhelmed with apprehension about
something new, I hike
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up to my barnyard
for a congenial visit with my two
favorite teachers. Sometimes we may
react to our world with hesitation like
Skye and sometimes we are as
confident as Snow White. The tale of two
bunnies offers hope that no matter what
the circumstances, we have a choice-fear
or freedom. Your choice determines your
future.
Which are
you today-Skye or Snow White?
Cynthia
Brian is the New York Times best selling
author of Chicken Soup for the Gardener’s
Soul, author of Be the Star You Are!,
The Business of Show Business, and
Miracle Moments®. When she’s not
writing, coaching, or performing, you’ll
find her in the garden with her
menagerie of critters.! Tune into her
weekly radio program, Starstyle®-Be the
Star You Are! broadcasts live every
Thursday from 3-4/pm PST/6-7pm EST at http://www.worldtalkradio.com/
show.asp?sid=118. Cynthia is
available for over the phone
consultations. Visit www.star-style.com,
call 925-377-STAR, or email cynthia@star-style.com. |
