Let's Have A Chat!

:: Every day in my work as an interspecies communicator I connect with animals who were neglected, kicked around, and abandoned. Some have found their family on the first try, others have been shuffled from family to shelter and back for years. Because of an unexpected or undesired behavior. :: I will show you what it means to see the world through your animal’s eyes and guide you on how to connect with your furry or feathery companion in fun and meaningful ways.  :: You get some papers that describe your dog, but do you really know if the new dog is genetically a hunter, a herder, a watchdog? Will s/he like children, other dogs, be ok being left alone? :: You are most likely a bit anxious yourself bringing a new being into your life. You being calm and grounded is the most important thing you can do. Inhale through the nose, let the air settle into your belly and exhale through the mouth. Three deep breaths settle your mind and your body so you can receive the new member with open arms. :: On your first day, have a chat and introduce yourself. https://www.mindful-connections.com/podcasts    

:: We can look at two categories that have a significant presence in our animal lover world. One is the communication with animals telepathically, connecting telepathically with your animal means you send visuals or messages to your animal and then feel, see, hear, or sense their reply.  :: And there is the category of training our animals, which is also a way of communicating, mostly with short commands and by using our body.  These how-to books are usually based on leadership, more accurately on dominance.  :: In my experience, this type of leadership or dominance training doesn't take into account that our animal is also OUR teacher. For me that is the best part about being with animals. We can learn from and through them. :: Connecting with your animal in mindful and meaningful ways can have remarkable side effects. The more I chatted with my animals the more I remembered the innate tools I used when I connected with animals as a child in Germany. My body and my intuition. :: Animals, just like us, want to be seen and heard. Totally true.  :: Within three weeks I had written the manuscript this podcast is based on. It’s a script about living a meaningful and mindful life with your animal! I will share the secret to communicating with animals, successfully in this podcast.  :: If you’d love to learn to see the world - truly- through your animal's eyes so that you too can get a glimpse into the animal kingdom, a world that provides us with so much valuable information and precious wisdom, then stick around.  :: Together we will explore how you can hone your senses and how you can use them to connect with your animal, your herd, or pack in ways you’ve never connected before. I will remind you to listen to your body, your precious compass, who can guide your journey in magical ways. https://www.mindful-connections.com/podcasts

:: Growing up in Germany, our neighbor's horses were my playmates, my confidantes, and my peers. And though I didn't have pets, I pretended my grandparents' German Shepherd was mine.  :: I definitely felt more like myself in the company of an animal than with most human beings. :: As I grew up and learned how to work with horses and train my dog and run a farm and teach students, the way I communicated with animals changed.  I lost my heart connection. At times I forced when I should have felt, I pushed when I could have yielded, and I struggled when I could have partnered.  :: My horse Okie's image popped into my mind and with it a message. "Don't ask how I can come to you. Ask how you can come to me." With this statement came the understanding: the animals were not my problem—I was.  :: And, as I breathed a lot and was more present, I could suddenly hear and feel more consistently what the animals around me expressed.  :: You, too, can return to that place of deep, meaningful relationships with your animals and with yourself. When you meet your animals where they live, in the now, you will find what you have been seeking: a deep and magical bond that surpasses any other relationship.  It is so easy. No training is needed. :: On average, you take 20,00 breaths a day. Let's be more specific, except for the occasional sigh so loud that you make yourself aware of your breath; you unconsciously breathe 20,000 times a day. Here is one secret: Just one conscious breath puts you right into the present moment.  :: When your cat traipses over your keyboard she says … your head is buzzing and it is time for you to stop and take a breath. Chances are you have been sitting bent over your laptop for hours, your breath has gotten shallow, and your brain is getting fried. Your cat is looking out for you because she wants you to be more present and at ease. Hence the visit.  :: You’re always only one breath away from genuinely connecting with your animal … in the now. Show Notes available here: https://www.mindful-connections.com/podcasts

:: When you are in tune with your senses you can feel, see, sense, smell and experience the world through your animal's experience and senses. For us to actually tune into our senses we need to be present.  :: Good news, “We are never not present, we are just present with something else.” :: Compared to us, our animals have superior senses. :: Our animals have such marvelous skills to read the energies and frequencies put forth from the world around them. Meeting your animals in the now gives you a chance to become more aware and tuned in to your senses and theirs. :: As you take a breath or two to become present, your mind automatically slows down and becomes more perceptive. The same is true for your body. As you are more connected to your body, consciously, your senses wake up/get activated and provide a lot of information.  :: Whenever I notice one of our furry family members look at something intently, my eyes immediately start searching for what they might be looking at. My ears stretch to pick up any sound that could reveal what's in the bushes. And my body feels alerted to take action if required.  :: Raising your awareness and tuning in to your senses will shift your relationship with your animal and people to new heights. :: Give your animals a chance to guide you back to your senses. The more aware you are, the better you will be at the next thing I want to talk about timing, good timing.  :: When you spend more time in the present moment and utilize your senses, you will see more opportunities to respond more timely when communicating with your animal, and that will make it more effective. Show notes available here: https://www.mindful-connections.com/podcasts

To see things through my animals’ eyes means not putting my own experience, feelings, and beliefs onto them.   - Nicole Birkholzer   :: Projection often means that we're doing something to the animal while seeing the world through our animal's eyes allows us to do something with our animal.   :: When our animals speak to us, be aware, that type of behavior is their way of expressing themselves, we have a choice. We can either dismiss them as quirky or annoying or get frustrated with them, or we can choose to stop and listen. Because these furry and feathery guides of ours as simply reflecting back on what's going on in our life and in their life.   :: When we run on autopilot. When we’re not tuned in. When we are not present, they see it often as their job to trip us up, or lie on our keyboard, or become a no-show at the fence. They make us aware that we're physically there but not available. Therefore, quirky or unexpected behaviors are really your animal's way of asking you to come back into balance. Their quirky behavior is their a way to wake you up.   :: Living with animals enriches our lives in many ways. But when the behavior is suddenly unexpected even dangerous their actions become our concern. If your dog has separation anxiety and whines and cries every time you pick up your keys that's an undesired behavior.   Or, if your new cat is fighting with your older cat and one of them is not using the litter box, well that's a problem. Or, if you're fostering three bunny sisters and one of the bunnies charges you keeping you away from bonding with the other two, that's not fun. Because you expected a snuggly bunny situation. Or, why does your horse suddenly not step up to the mountain block when usually she stands like a statue?   What is going on?   :: In these situations, you often reach out to your veterinarian or your trainer. Wondering if there is something physically, wrong. If there is a training issue? You might bring the bunnies back because the one that charges you is just not manageable. Often the vet or trainer can't find a solution because it is not necessarily a training or health issue that's going on most often it's a behavior issue that can't be fixed with treats or medicine. So what is really going on in those situations?   :: In most cases, the quirky or undesired behavior relates to some type of unease. Be it unease within you, because you're not breathing, or too occupied. Or, something brings them unease in their environment. I discovered that there are five areas that can influence our life either with ease or unease.   :: The five areas are, the people we're surrounding ourselves with can bring ease or unease to us. Our purpose, fulfilling our purpose or feeling we have not yet fulfilled our purpose is something that can bring ease or unease into our life. Our environment, if we love where we live, if we love how we surround ourselves, can bring a lot of ease. But, it can also bring unease if we're not happy in our environment. Then there are the peers, the connection we have to others outside our world. That, of course, can bring a lot of ease or unease into our lives. And the fifth category or area is our health. Because being healthy usually means are at ease, but if we have aches or pains we feel unease.   :: If the animal is consistently feeling unease from the first four categories, people, purpose, environment, pack, or herd, the unease can eventually lead to dis-ease. And with that, we came full circle. Unease leads to dis-ease which leads to health issues.   :: With this episode, I invite you to start paying attention to your projections. When do you project your own feelings onto the animal and when you're truly feeling your animal is informing you?   :: And, start looking into some of the animal behaviors you notice. Are they quirky? Is your animal simply trying to give you a chance to tune in and come from your head back into your body?   :: Or, is there something creating unease in your animal’s world and for that, you look at the five areas, the people, the purpose, the environment, the herd, or pack, and your animal's health.     To book a private phone session with Nicole and your animal, click here. https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/quirky-or-undesired-behavior-there-is-a-reason

Animals, just like us, crave ease. Because when at ease, the nervous system is relaxed, which means the body and mind are calm.:: When we or our animals feel our life is on the line, we instinctively go into survival mode. :: What does survival mode look like? We contract. We pull all the energies into our core, rush adrenaline through our veins so we are ready to take flight or fight or freeze. Our mind moves frantically through the option available to get back to safety. :: Under natural circumstances, fight, flee, freeze episodes are short. As soon as we realize the threat is over, the body takes a deep breath and the mind calms. For example, the car in front hits the brakes. Reflexively you do too. The adrenaline surge rushes through your body. Once you come to a stop an inch away from the other car’s bumper, your body takes a deep breath. Your extremities tingle as adrenalin recedes. Within moments your system relaxes. :: Ideally, like a pendulum, the body naturally goes back and forth between arousal and relaxation. :: In our domestic world, the nervous system is often over-aroused. We are hooked into so many stressors that the nervous system has not enough time and space to go back into a relaxed state. :: If you feel more uneasy than at ease, if you are stuck in contraction, it is time to heed long-term physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual issues. :: How does this tie back to your relationship with your animal? Let's go back to the quirky behavior your animal displays by tripping or cheering you up. Let’s say you carry tension in your neck and shoulders. You might be aware of it, or not. Take a little inventory right now, are you tense anywhere in your body? Are you holding your breath, pulling your shoulders to the ear lopes, clenching your teeth or your toes? I bet you are able to find some unconscious tension. Your animal is always conscious of that tension because s/he is in tune with the five areas. The people ... being one. Because there is tension in the people area your animal wants to fix it, a.k.a. Trip you up so you take a deep breath. Remember, animals, just like us, crave ease. Ease means all is well and safe. :: When your dog trips you up – literally – as you rush to get out of the house, don't push her aside. Instead, stop in mid-stride, take a deep breath, and thank her for looking out for you. :: And, if your kitten acts really goofy in the most unfitting moment ... take a breath and then observe yourself and the circumstance. Is your kitten alerting you to something about you - are you stressed, concerned, need some cheering up? :: When you are physically at ease you are more willing and able to engage with your body and be present with it. And that is important because your body is your biggest sensing tool. :: Animals are keen observers not just with their eyes, but they observe an energetic change with their entire body. :: When our animals "speak" to us, we are given a choice: we can dismiss them as silly and goofy, or we can choose to stop... and listen.

Episode #6 Let's Have a Verbal Chat  :: Throughout the last episodes you re-membered to breathe, consciously, tuned into your senses, and explored ease and unease. As a child, you did all this naturally because your mind wasn’t filled with domestic concerns. You were tuned into your immediate world with body, mind, and spirit.    :: What I share with you today will remind you of something else you did so naturally as a child.  … have a chat with your animals. My mission for this episode is to get you chatting with intention And THAT will change your life with animals for-ever!    :: To start off our connection and communication with an animal we always take a deep breath. Inhale and exhale.   :: Just to remind you, and if you’re listening for the first time, be informed that one conscious breath puts you into the now, so you are physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually present with your animal. And three belly breaths allow your brain to move into a calmer, more receptive mode.   :: Many of us have learned that short commands are the best way to communicate with animals ... walk, trot, can-ter, sit, come, stay, heel"… when you condition an animal to these commands, you want to control the animal's body and mind. Tell them what to do. Your goal is that they obey. And that is valuable in many situations, a.k.a. your dog runs toward the road, you call "Baxter, STOOOOOP," and he stops. Phew.   :: But … what if your animal has a much more extensive communication repertoire? What if you can have real conversations?     :: It is tough for your anima/s to get the point across or express an opinion when you don't give them a chance to be in dialogue.   :: Having a chat with your animal, meaning a dialog, allows the animal to give you feedback and help direct where the conversation might go next.   :: I called my show Let’s have a chat because I know that your voice is an underutilized tool. And I am here to encourage you to use it.   :: Speak Out Loud   :: Stories   :: The stories show, animals, just like us, want to be seen and heard. Dogs and cats, and birds and … horses, love to be in a dialog. And they love to share their skills and talents. And …  if we engage with them and talk to them in full sentences … magic happens.   :: Speaking with clear intention and with your animal can prevent a lot of problems before they have a chance to take shape.   :: Ideally, you have a conversation with your animal before you make any significant changes.    :: Animals, just like us, do not like to be surprised or overwhelmed with a new situation. They prefer to wrap their mind around events as they manifest. Preparing your furry companion for the change will set everyone up for success.   :: Change is always unsettling and will have an impact on you and your animal. A few words of simple explanation can help you both move from un-ease to ease.    :: This concludes this episode and I invite you to start using your voice to communicate with your animal. Remember, short simple explanations. Tell him or her what’s going on … and then be open and curious … amazement is on the way! https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/let-s-have-a-verbal-chat

Episode #7 Handy Chats  :: In the last episode, we chatted about chatting with your animals. Telling them what is going on in your life right now and what is about to happen. Today’s mission is to share with you how handy and effective chats can be.   :: Why are verbal chats so effective? When you speak out loud to your animal, in simple direct sentences, your intention is laser-sharp. As you speak, you automatically form a picture of what you are saying in your mind and that helps your animal understand what you are looking for. If you are familiar with the work of Temple Grandin, she explains that animals think in pictures. In my experience that is one aspect of communicating with animals, sending them pictures, but I feel speaking out loud forms the picture automatically and therefore brings the message across in two ways, verbally and visually.   :: Let’s try it. If I say out loud right now, “Scout, please stay on the deck,” I immediately form a picture in my mind of Scout lying on the deck. Did you notice it, too? Did the picture inevitably show up in your mind?   :: For example, your pet is sick, and you are heading to the vet. Instead of turning up the radio to tune out your cat's meowing or your dog's restless backseat shuffle, you become present with a deep breath. Immediately, your pup or kitty will feel more at ease as well. Then you explain to your animal, "We are going to the vet, so s/he can help you feel better. And when we get there, I'd love for you to stay calm." Chances are, your animal will be calmer in the car and also follow your request while on the examining table.    :: In general, we tell our animals what we don't want them to do. "Stop crying, stop moving, don't jump, don't scratch, don't run, don't nip, and don't sit on the furniture." We rarely offer them information about what we want them to do.   :: Our animals might not understand every word we say, but they understand the intention behind our words and often follow suit. When you engage your pet through words, you offer a new level of communication and open yourself up for a dialogue.    :: Stories   :: We're only limited by the limitations we put on ourselves and our animals. By reducing your communication with your animals to those commands, sit, come, heel, whoa, you're short-changing yourself and your animals.   :: I invite you, give this a try. Speak directly to your animal, ask for what you need and be amazed about the results and the connection you can achieve.

Often people refer to their animal as ‘a rescue’ many years after rescuing the animal. We say “I’m gonna grab my horse out of the paddock.” Your words carry energy, and that energy affects you, the speaker, and your animal the listener. When you choose kind words and share something positive about your animal, you foster well-being and build confidence in you and your companion. Show notes available here:https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/the-power-of-words

Do you want to shield your animal from your feelings? That is a noble idea. But by hiding your feelings you become incongruent. When your feelings don’t match up with your actions your animal gets concerned. The neat thing is, unlike us, animals don’t judge our feelings. Don’t hide your feelings. Talk to your animal, be honest and real and your animal can handle it just fine. Show notes available here: https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/energetic-incongruence

What a treat it is for your animal when you speak verbally with her or him. It clears up so much confusion. The animal doesn’t have to give it a hundred tries to find out what is allowed and what is not. Telling your animal what you need and praising what the animal does right provides clarity. But, many animals were never given a chance to respond to a verbal request. And that means, your cockatoo, pup, or kitty might initially be surprised to be asked. Be patient. After you ask or tell your animal something, always, always, always take a conscious breath before expecting an answer. Animals usually take at least one if not two breaths, absorbing your request, before they respond. Listen to the many examples I give you in this episode! Show notes available here: https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/being-in-dialogue

For an animal to feel well and be joyous, we need to consider the whole animal: we need to nourish and honor its physical body, engage its mind in meaningful ways, allow for emotional connection and expression, and consider our animal’s spiritual gifts. Some animals have a specific purpose they are offering to their pack, herd, or people. Some animals care deeply for people and therefore offer their energy and wisdom to them. Listen so you can recognize it. Show notes available here: https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/does-my-animal-have-a-purpose

Releasing a furry member of your family can be heartbreakingly sad, and it can also be a heartbreakingly generous gift when you provide the animal ease, for the last time ease, ease to leave the body behind.The moment you know you have to release your animal you have three important jobs. Listen to this episode to know how to help your animal have a comfortable transition. Show notes available here: https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/loss-of-a-furry-member

There is no more significant gift you can give to your animal than your presence. No cookie, treat, or carrot will ever have the same frequency or meaning as you taking a breath to meet your animal in the now. Once you arrive in the now, use your senses to see and hear and smell and feel what your animal feels. Don't project, but start seeing the world through your animal's eyes. Express yourself verbally, and then take a breath and wait for a response from your furry or feathery friend. As you open the space for a reply, as you suddenly find yourself in a dialogue with your animal, you will be amazed about the deep sense of connection that fills your heart. Show notes available here:https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/tying-it-together

Many of us feel helpless looking at the events in Ukraine. One special dog, explains to Nicole and his person how we can help beyond offering money and supplies. Sunny, a furry wise guide explains when we share love and joy with others we will also feel the love and joy ourselves. Show notes available here: https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/uplifting-ukraine-a-dog-s-point-of-view

As an animal communicator, I have learned a lot about retirement, the retirement of horses. Today I will share with you the many facets and perspectives to consider when retiring a horse. And, I share some guidance on how you can communicate with your horse to learn if retirement is the right decision. Show notes available here: https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/is-your-horse-ready-to-retire

Do we need to protect ourselves when we do energy work? Should we put white light around us? What do the animals do to protect themselves? Do they need to protect themselves? And what does a yawn have to do with it? Listen in and learn about the animal’s point of view as Nicole shares what Lucy, a bloodhound, and Cortina, a Warmblood mare explained about energy. Show notes available here: https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/you-re-one-yawn-away-from-relaxation

The last episode “You're only a yawn away from relaxation,” really hit the spot with many of you which is super exciting. I feel it is important for me to shed even a little more light on the yawn because it is really important that we understand the power of it and also how we can undermine the power of the yawn. Show notes available here: https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/the-yawn-part-2

“An antelope broke its neck.” “A caretaker was injured by a tiger during feeding time.” “The habitat did not seem to be big enough to house all animals.” When you can’t hunt, can’t run, can’t fly, can’t swim like you were born to do, you don’t survive, you hang in. You wait for food. You get irritated. You snap. And then you are the felon. And you might get killed, or banned. Join me to look at Zoo Antics from the animal’s point of view. Show notes available here: https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/zoo-antics

When the issue is stuck in the tissue it means that the animal’s body is stuck in a trigger mode. Imagine the animal’s point of view, the moment of shock when you are walking up to your person and all you see is a big boot that kicks you away. Or, the big dog that comes toward you with his furry posse, pushing you into a corner until you were cowering and shaking. These experiences leave a mark, a blueprint in your dog’s body. And the issue that is stuck in the tissue has usually two ways of expressing itself. Offensive or defensive. Extroverted or introverted. Bark, snap and bite, or cower, crumble, and hide. What can you do to help your dog to move past the trauma? Listen in! Show notes available here: https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/the-issue-stuck-in-the-tissue