Hawks tend to follow me wherever I go.

In the past year, I’ve spotted over 50 hawks gliding above me — while driving, through slivers of valley, at weddings.

It began last October at the wedding of one of my avid newsletter readers. He and his wife were married at his childhood home in Mississippi, and just before their vows, I noticed a hawk swooping over his cherished antebellum estate.

For those who, like myself, believe in animal spirits, Hawk is seen as the messenger of the sky. Hawk signals the need to heighten awareness and be open to receiving a message.

Hawk reminds me to take in the broader view, to notice and receive messages from Spirit. As I watched the hawk fly above their wedding, the message I received was, “It is good.”

Last December, I witnessed over 40 hawks (I kid you not) circling our car in Miami. The message that came through: “Believe.”

In January, I was in Napa for a friend’s birthday. I walked out onto the patio, and a hawk quickly swooped into my view. The message I received — “You are well.”

In February, while attending a wedding in the Dominican Republic and an engagement party in Houston, I spotted more hawks, each one reminding me that “Love is all that matters.”

As a purposeful lady of leisure, I often ask myself, “What is stopping you from freedom of flight?” Seeing hawks reminds me to be bold-hearted and to always choose to fly close to the Sun.

My spiritual practice is rooted in exploring the oneness in all things. I enjoy observing animals for the same reason I love living in New York City — it reminds me that the world is so much bigger than me. I am just one speck, one story, one part of the tapestry. I learn through noticing what transpires in the assumed quiet that surrounds me. 

My husband often teases me about how long I can snorkel in the ocean, watching fish go by without ever getting bored. There’s an entire world down there, and I crave evidence that as I nurture my own world, I am strengthening how we interbe.

Interbeing is a philosophical concept developed by Zen Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh. It’s the idea that all things are deeply interconnected and that nothing exists independently. Every entity or phenomenon depends on every other to exist.

Last weekend in DC, just when I felt I needed it most, I looked up at the sky and saw a hawk flying overhead. At that moment, I was reminded to “Trust God.”

Noticing is its own form of communication. When I see another living being and choose to honor its existence, I gain the opportunity to connect, even without words. 

In each of these instances, I find a lesson.

Notes on Living

Magic Wanding: I am putting a trip to see the northern lights in Iceland on my 6 month wish list. So many travel commitments already but I want to make this happen! **Send energy**

Reading: Beautiful World, Where Are You x Sally Rooney - Loved the tv show Normal People based on her book of the same name. Excited to dive into this.

Listening: My Song x Labi Siffre - Ok, if you’re from Chicago like myself Old Kanye’s I Wonder means a great deal to you. Had no idea that he sampled this song.

Watching: Industry - Fun ride and who doesn’t love seeing Jon Snow in the modern world.

Wearing: More wedding guest dresses! I have a wedding this weekend and next. Will share pics :)

Eating: Won’t be cooking seriously for a couple of weeks while I’m in Chicago. But will certainly share what I eat there. Planning my meals now like the foodie I am!

To self-portraits,

TKO

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