Coyote says “don’t take yourself too seriously!”

November 23, 2016

coyote-medicine
All things are sacred, nothing is sacred.
~Coyote medicine

Maybe like me, you know people who take themselves VERY seriously. Maybe you voted for one. (Only kidding. I know you didn’t. Right?)

But what you may not know is that when we take ourselves too seriously, that’s when Coyote can remind us to laugh at ourselves and at some of the crazy twists and turns of life.

In native American lore, the coyote is often known as a trickster. But he doesn’t set out to fool us. Instead, he reflects back at us our wisdom and our foolishness both, teaching us that they often go together. Lessons learned by experience and mistakes, that’s what coyote medicine is about.

Coyote is not my spirit animal, but I love him and what he teaches just the same. Not to mention how beautiful he is.

Coyotes are resilient, tenacious and adaptable, surviving man’s encroachment on his territory. With fewer grizzlies and wolves in California and the willingness of livestock farmers to use alternative means to prevent predation, the coyote is coming back and doing pretty well in our state. Of course, we don’t see that many of them down in the city and if we do, it means that something’s wrong. The good thing, though, is that man is learning to live with these (and other) beautiful creatures, when once these predator populations were decimated.

Regardless, his adaptability is a powerful lesson for us all. Think about the number of times you’ve had to adapt to a changing world. YOUR changing world. Weren’t those experiences some of your greatest lessons?  Coyote is a survivor. And that’s one of the other reasons I love him.

If you’re lucky enough to encounter Coyote, know that he’s a powerful spirit animal, here to teach you something important. If you’ve fallen on tough times, look to Coyote’s adaptability and survival skills for inspiration.  Oh, and if you did happen to vote for someone who takes himself VERY seriously? Well, it’s not too late to take coyote’s wisdom. To learn the lesson. Just sayin’.

coyote-medicine

 

 

26 comments on “Coyote says “don’t take yourself too seriously!”
  1. Cayotes are some of the most beautiful animals! Thanks for the wonderful illustration and sharing more about the spirit of them! It’s a great reminder about not taking ourselves so seriously!

  2. Laura says:

    Oh so true, But sometimes hard to do.

  3. Helene Cohen Bludman says:

    Coyotes are beautiful animals. I appreciate the lessons they can teach us.

  4. GiGi Eats says:

    I do love Coyotes!! Although my parents hate them because my dogs love chasing after them lol!

  5. I know what you are saying. My challenge is to myself seriously once in a while. I’m too much into fun and in the process, I’m creating a negative impression on me

  6. Andi says:

    Coyote says it – my pastor tells me the same thing 🙂

  7. Roz Warren says:

    As a humor writer, I often have to remind myself to take certain things a little MORE seriously.

  8. I love this reading this I learned a little bit more on coyote. I wouldn’t say I’m too serous of a person.

  9. Wren says:

    Coyotes are pretty animals with such a great reminder. Have fun, and enjoy the ride!

  10. Elizabeth O. says:

    I am not that familiar with the lore but you’re absolutely right. Cayotes are survivors! We can learn a few things about life from them, being the beautiful creatures that they are. We all need a little humor right now, to be honest.

  11. Amber Myers says:

    I love this!

    Coyotes are gorgeous to look at. I love their fur.

  12. Claudette says:

    Never knew that folklore about coyotes. It actually run along the same lines as a particular spider in my Jamaican culture. Yes, we experience life in a more wonderful way when we don’t take ourselves so seriously.

  13. angie says:

    oh so love this post so contradicting of itself and then again it really is not
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  14. Jacqui Odell says:

    I never heard of this….this way. But I do think coyotes are beautiful animal and your bring up good points.

  15. jill conyers says:

    So interesting about the coyote. My thoughts are now on taking myself too seriously. I don’t. At least not all the time. It depends might be a better answer.

  16. I agree. Coyotes are such interesting creatures. 🙂

  17. it’s all about perspective isn’t it Carol? We can take ourselves and our situations way to seriously, or we can go with the flow and let nature take its course. I’m tending towards the latter as I get older and wilier!

  18. Ellie says:

    Great reminder on perspective and taking each day for what it is, not taking ourselves too seriously and over-thinking every situation. I didn’t know any of this about Coyotes, we see lots of them up here in Canada!

    Ellie

  19. Mai Reed says:

    cayotes are just lovely animals.. i get the message your trying to pass across, really lovely

  20. Vicky says:

    There are lots of coyotes where we live and many people fear them. Reading this really gives me a new perspective and respect for these creatures.

  21. Darina says:

    Very Beautiful picture and lovely post! Thanks for sharing

  22. After reading your post, I have a different appreciation for coyotes now. They are pretty resislent.

  23. Lisa Rios says:

    Coyote is such a beautiful animal for sure and you have given some wonderful explanation on how they can teach us some great lessons in life. I am pretty sure that their adaptability and survival skills are something one must look for more inspiration anytime!

  24. I love Coyotes! Lovely message, you are trying to pass across! Thanks for sharing!

  25. Rosey says:

    No comment on the voting. 😉 And the older I get, the less serious I take a lot of things. 🙂

  26. christina aliperti says:

    Never looked at it this way but we could learn a lot from coyotes. They are also very sleek and powerful.

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