Emily's Rain Dance
by JoAnne Dodgson, Ed.D.
author of Walking the Spiral Path: Awakening Power and Passion
Many beautiful gifts come along in such seemingly simple, ordinary moments. And it's often the youngest among us who have something extraordinary to share. 
During a holiday gathering with my family in Michigan several years ago, we were gathered outside on the porch one evening when it unexpectedly began to rain. Instantly, all the adults backed up against the walls of the house, seeking shelter beneath the roof. My four-year-old niece, however, had other ideas. Without a moment's hesitation, Emily spread her arms wide-open and lifted her face toward the sky. Smiling and laughing, she skipped barefoot around the porch, singing and shouting with glee, “It's raining! It's raining! It's raining!”
For Emily, the rain was cause for sweet celebration, a time to relish her connection with the natural wonders of life. She understood there was nothing to fear. She had no inclination to hide. Emily's dance was a striking contrast with the adults who were backed up against the walls diligently avoiding contact with the gentle raindrops which fell from the sky.
Witnessing Emily's exuberance, I wondered why I was ducking for cover. What was I hiding from? What was it that I feared? What shoulds and supposed-to's were ruling my behavior, inhibiting my own spontaneous play?
It was clear that Emily was deeply connected to something much bigger than whatever it was that was holding me back. 
Emily openly expressed who she was and how she felt. Joining hands with the vibrant energy of life, she embodied freedom, passion, and joy.
I've thought of this night many times over the years, particularly when I find that I'm separating myself from the fullness of life,when I'm holding myself back rather than allowing what is natural and loving to be felt and celebrated and shared. Emily invited me to lift my face to the sky, to welcome the nourishment and magic raining down all around. She reminded me to dance in rhythm with the earth, to splash around in the puddles and wiggle my toes in the mud.
Emily's rain dance reminded me to play. To feel my joy. To celebrate beauty. To thrive in authentic, creative expression. To reach out with love to all that is. To sing and dance with the rain. Emily's raindance invited me to remember what lives deep in the heart of my soul.
Copyright © 2006 by JoAnne Dodgson
JoAnne Dodgson, Ed.D., is a healer, teacher and author whose work is centered in the ancient Peruvian tradition Ka Ta See, “living in balance from the heart.” She has been involved in holistic healing, counseling and teaching for over twenty years. She has a doctorate in counseling psychology and has been on the faculty in holistic health, transpersonal psychology and women's studies programs.
For more information, please visit www.pathwaysforhealing.net. JoAnne can be reached at joanne@pathwaysforhealing.net or 1.888.846.6412.
JoAnne's writings include medicine stories and five books: Unleashing Love, MoonDance Journal, Walking the Spiral Path, Gifts of the Grandmother, and Cocooning.
UnLeashing Love
A Collection of Medicine Stories to Feed the Spirit and Awaken the Heart
Written by JoAnne Dodgson
Medicine stories are shared with the intent to evoke healing and inner reflection, to feed the spirit and awaken the heart. Unleashing Love is a beautiful collection of unique medicine stories filled with rich and compelling experiences to delight the senses and expand awareness, to nourish personal quests and invite connections with unseen worlds, to awaken the passions of life within us and all around.
$12.95 plus shipping
some Stories by JoAnne Dodgson
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WALKING
the SPIRAL PATH:
AWAKENING POWER and PASSION
by JoAnne Dodgson
is a collection of medicine stories, each distinct yet
connected, all sparked by inescapable callings to delve
deeper for understanding, to see the unseen and give
voice to the unspoken, to unravel bindings in the quest
to be free.
Price: $14.00
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book in our Bookshop
GIFTS
of the GRANDMOTHER
by JoAnne Dodgson
is the captivating true
story of a woman's spiritual quest which unfolds as she
explores high desert canyonlands. Her compelling story not only gives us a view of the incredible beauty she had discovered within herself but provides us with the promise that this beauty is within each and every one of us waiting to be discovered. 160 pages, color illustrations, 5 x 8" paperback, comb binding)
Price: $16.95
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book in our Bookshop
.
MOONDANCE JOURNAL
MoonDance Journal is a one-of-a-kind journal ~
a unique sacred space for exploring your inner journeys, spiritual quests and life path throughout thirteen moon cycles of a lunar year. Celebrate the rhythms and seasons of your life. Each copy of MOONDANCE JOURNAL is handmade, lovingingly printed and bound by JoAnne Dodgson.
Retails for $19.95
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