Early Morning Coyote Messenger

I am in my car an hour and a half each day as I drive to work so I am constantly scanning the fields and powerlines to see what types of animals I may encounter. This morning I saw something I have never seen before. Right along the side of the highway standing on top of a big round hay bale (yes.. ON TOP of the hay bale) was a coyote. He didn't flinch as I drove by & I even slowed down to get a better look at this straggly creature.

Of course my curiousity was peaked. Why would this animal make such a bold appearance? He was obviously trying to make a statement.

Native Americans believe that animals are here to teach us and give us messages sent from the Creator. According to different online sites, the coyote is known as the clever one and the foolish one. He is sometimes referred to as a trickster. He mirrors our human capacity for cleverness as well as our stupidity. He is the mirror for the lessons we need to learn to walk the right path and he will continue to hold up that mirror until we take the hint. I read that we should call on the coyote when we are in the middle of negotiating a difficult situation or perhaps thank him for showing us a trap we are in or a situation in which we are fooling ourselves.

The coyote is a powerful teacher when it comes to relationships but it is when we are in a relationship that we have a tendency to fool ourselves the most. More than anything, the coyote is a survivor. He shows us that life is unpredictable and that we can not control everything that happens around us. His wisdom teaches us to live in the moment and view unexpected occurrences as opportunities rather than misfortune.

Another site says that coyote can also teach us how to balance work and play, to have more fun in our lives.  When coyote appears to us we can re-create our lives in ways that we might never have dreamed if we are willing to lighten up and follow our instincts.  We all have something we would like to let go of.  If you feel a sense of relief, even if it is accompanied by a feeling of fear, then you know you are right in your wanting to move on.  Often what we really wants in life may seem very far away or impossible to achieve. Coyote can actually trick us into going for what we really want!

Was this early morning messenger trying to motivate me or get me to lighten up? I'm thinking the answer is "both." I think he was standing on that hay bale saying, "Hey.. life is awful sometimes but learn from it, laugh and have fun as much as you can, figure out what you want most in life and move on."