HAWMC Prompt 26: Spirit Animal Day

I'm participating in WEGO Health's Health Activist Writer's Month Challenge (HAWMC) in April.

Today's challenge is to give my condition a spirit animal. "Write about yourself or it as though you/it are that animal. What qualities of the animal do you or your condition possess that are positive? How is this a metaphor?"

I was having a little difficulty coming up with what to write about, so I did an online search to see what I could find. I ended up finding a simple 15-question quiz to help you discover your spirit animal. Once I took the quiz, my score resulted in my spirit animal being a wolf. I've always been fascinated by wolves. And, as I read the description on the results page, it started to occur to me how this might just be fitting. Some of the wolf's characteristics are listed below, along with a description of some ways that I display/ralate to them.

Enhanced senses. I have sharp, enhanced senses. I can smell even the slightest of smells, and can be easily overwhelmed by too many scents at one time. I can hear even the softest of sounds. I can see even a single beam of light through a curtain or under a door.

Stamina/endurance. I have endured a lot, especially through the trials of the last few years. My body has been through so much trauma. My mind has been faced with difficult challenges to overcome. My soul has struggled to find meaning in the chaos and keep faith in the Lord. He has helped me to endure... and is helping me still.

Family. I form deep connections with close family and friends, and they know that I'd do anything to protect them. I am steadfast, loyal, devoted, and passionate.

Inner strength and intuition. I am growing my intuition, instinct linked with intelligence. Even when I feel weak, I know that the Lord is building my inner strength, in preparation to fulfill His calling on my life.

Adaptability. I'm learning to take advantage of change. I've been faced with a transformation (a death of my old self, and a birth of my new self), and I strive to face it with courage. The new paths and journeys that lie before me are unknown/unclear; but I'm learning to fear change less, and trust God more.

Perseverance. Despite these trials and obstacles, I continue to put one foot in front of the other. Some days I need more help than others, but I try to keep pressing onward.

I ended up taking a second quiz (on a different website), and my result was the coyote. The coyote is a cousin of the wolf, so it seems pretty fitting and consistent with the other quiz I took. The website where I took the quiz describes the coyote:

"According to shamanistic wisdom, coyotes are the animal world's trickster. Coyote people have a way with words, and a unique way of seeing the world. Never ones to take things at face value, coyote people question authority with sly jokes. Luckily, their wit usually keeps them out of serious trouble. Coyote people often prefer to have a few close friendships instead of lots of casual ones.

If you are true to type, you probably have a wry sense of humor and are the first to weigh in with a sarcastic joke. People who don't know you well may not get your sense of humor, which may have gotten you into trouble here or there... unless you used that old Coyote charm to get out of it..."