Hello TSJ Peeps!
Happy Wednesday wherever you are. My somewhat new team of symbolic characters are hoping you are 
playing in the pastures of life today. But they are earthy characters and understand that life in the pastures can be tough as well as in the jungles. And sometimes it is a “jungle out there.” Life can be messy.
As humans, I believe we are made to have our feet on the ground while we can stand with our chin up and our head held high. When we are well- grounded and heart- centered with love balancing us, we can also allow our heads to be in the clouds. That is where hope and dreams are. My dad used to say, “Sometimes your head is in the clouds.” (I was a day dreamer.)
Back to the trio. Yes, I know it is not exactly a new team. I gently introduced Sigmund to you a bit ago and explained they have formed a bond as each of them has been adjusting to the “new normal” situation at TSJ headquarters.
But today I am adding more information about Sigmund so you can see how his knowledge excites me and helps me in both my work and my life. Sometimes clients hold him when they feel sad or worried, so it is good to learn a bit about him.
In truth, the three of them are doing very well and have been surprised of late with good feelings they have toward John. It has helped when he has come into the office and sat beside them on the couch. Once he even petted Solomon’s head much like Tom did. Their happiness was palpable! I liked it too.
Sigmund, as it turns out, has been a terrific addition to the team. He has come into the situation because he too has history here, mostly with me, and has played an important role in the past with my work as a therapist and school psychologist. He is a hand puppet but works by being the little guy on my shoulder whispering in my ear when he understands what is going on in a person’s life. He has whispered messages of encouragement for many children in the past..
Sigmund is particularly excited about understanding brain /behavior connections as well as environmental and biological contributions to our personal development.
Solomon, with all his earthy and spiritual wisdom, likes teaching Sigmund about deeper things of spirit, faith and peace. They both really enjoy talking about humans and how different each one is.
Sigmund, helps me see lots of possibilities for people. He likes teaching Solomon and SJ about the importance of understanding human development – socially, intellectually, emotionally and spiritually. And about how how personal development is most obvious during times of stress when our default beliefs and behaviors “show up” unbidden.
As you can see in the picture, Sigmund has joined hands with Solomon while SJ listens, questions and argues with each of them.
This has brought up my own questions about why these characters are such important symbols to me for us as TSJ peeps.
I ask myself why I enjoy the shepherd/sheep metaphor so much. I think it is because it is used throughout the scriptures and because I am a farm girl and nature speaks to me. I have never been a herder but have read a lot and been in sheep pastures and participated in sheep shearing procedures. Personally, however, I have spent much more time in cow pastures on our farm.
The thing that really moves me about Solomon’s wisdom is that it come from his earthy nature. He understands what it means to be needy and easily spooked or agitated by things that happen in the everyday pastures. He also knows the need for care and guidance of a shepherd – for survival, rest, and play.
While we are not sheep, of course, we do know that we must have our feet on the ground. Sometimes we stumble, sometimes we bruise and sometimes we fall. Other times we rest under the stars or lie on the beach in the sun. But we also lift our heads to the heavens seeking strength and hope.
Finally, I think sometimes we who are Christian in our faith forget that Jesus called himself “the good Shepherd.” A shepherd knows the sheep and the fields. We forget that Jesus was God with skin on. He wore sandals that got dusty. He got sweaty in the heat of the day. He talked with crusty fishermen. And He sympathized with pain, death and heartache. Just like us.
I think it is safe to say, He had his feet on the ground, Head in the heavens and love radiated from his center.
I heard Solomon tell this to Sigmund who readily admits it sounds balanced and true.
Solomon says if the Christ did it, it is good reason for us to share the dusty roads and love in our hearts with each other.
Margie and Solomon
