Guten Tag, Reader,

My thoughts were lulled into a rare state of quietude by the sounds of crickets and my steps on the gravel trail. The scent of summer pine. The heat of the afternoon on my face.

Until a shriek unlulled me—pulled my eyes to the sky.

One of my favorite shows to watch had come on: “Chasing Hawks,” played out by two chickadees harassing a red-tailed hawk.

It never looks strategic (or smart) on the little birds’ part, diving, circling, fluttering, darting.

Maybe that’s what acting on instinct, rather than anxiety-driven analysis, looks like, though.

I kept watching until the finale, when – as always – the little guys won. The hawk (sometimes a raven or an eagle) flapped lazily away as if annoyed but not impressed.

I walked on, pondering how my invasive thoughts can feel like raptors. They circle, waiting for a weak moment. They want me to believe they’re inevitable, unstoppable, part of the ecosystem of my mind:

You’re not doing enough. This will never work. Who do you think you are?

I used to believe that I could think my way out of those sharp-taloned thoughts. That I had to watch them, listen to them, analyze them, discern where the truth is in them.

Now, it’s time to bring some chickadee energy.

Vigilant. Instinctive. Defiant.

But also playful, agile, and connected (there’s never just one little bird swirling around the big one).

Here’s my songbird call for the day

And here’s where the metaphor gets personal. One of my own raptor-thoughts is this:

MUST

NOT

ASK

FOR

SUPPORT

Fellow songbirds, rise up with me and chase away the thought. Will you support me and my colleague Angie?

Even if wildHER is not in the cards for you this year, will you tell one friend about it (or more, obviously)?

We have four spots remaining. The group that is coming together is fantastic. And you know what? 3/4 of participants are returning from last year’s Salmon River Slowdown – that’s how impactful that week on the river was!

Please share this link with a friend:
​https://coaching.mrslaine.com/wildher-rogue-river-women-retreat/​

And if your friend signs up, you’ll both get a free 60-minute Wayfinder Zoom session with me.

Okay, next time a big, shadowy 🦅 thought tries to dominate your mental airspace, consider channeling your inner songbird.

Buzz that raptor.

Sing in defiance.

Remain in control of your own sky.

Share with me: What’s the most persistent raptor-thought that circles in your mind?

I will see you back here in two weeks. If you liked this letter, please forward it to a friend.

Always on your side, truly,

p.s. If you got something from today's letter, why not buy me a coffee? I am keeping my writing AI-free, which means a lot of creativity goes into it. You can leave me a tip here.