Quieting the Inner Chihuahua
By Cristina Smith
“The extraordinary thing about the oyster is when irritations get into his shell. When he cannot get rid of them, he uses the irritations to do the loveliest thing an oyster has a chance to do. If there are irritations in our lives . . . make a pearl.” ~Harry Emerson Fosdick
I finally figured out how to define what it feels like inside when we get frazzled and stressed on the inside. That feeling of inner irritation that makes us know we’re off-center. You know, that self-impatience that instigates private gyrations like changing clothes or browsing the refrigerator for food several times and nothing seems quite right. It’s beyond the hamster on the wheel. This condition feels to me like a little yipping Chihuahua chasing its tail and running back and forth over and over again.
My grandparents had several Chihuahuas, all named Pepè, throughout my childhood. Those little dogs were great companions over the years for them. The Pepès energized my grandparents’ fairly sedentary lives with activity and love. Always enthusiastic and bounding with energy on one hand, they seemed to me to be rather high-strung creatures when they would yip and circle constantly.
After identifying and naming this chaotic energy within me, I started to recognize how the Chihuahua could overtake my inner quiet. It usually happened right before I was about to go out into the world and assert myself in a new way of being. Now when I suspect an event to be of that kind of import, I allow a lot of extra time, just in case the sleeping Chihuahua awakens. If the pup perks up and becomes active, I notice my behavioral shift and immediately stop what I am in the midst of doing. Then I often take several deep breaths and drink a glass of water. That interrupts the hyperactive cycle wind up. Then I let the thoughts come up and let them go, envisioning them running off to play, just like Pepè would.
Now that my inner Chihuahua has become an indicator of an important time in my life, I welcome it. Even though it was annoying at the beginning, the investment I’ve made in training this cute little dog has paid off many times over.
What about you? Do you have your own inner Chihuahua? If so, go ahead and give him/her a name and get to work training your pooch.
Cristina is an energetic healer, Chihuahua trainer, and Sustainable Wellness™ coach. Her website is www.Heal-Thyself.com and you may feel free to contact her at CristinaS@flash.net.
© 2010 Cristina Smith. All rights reserved.
