The Brave messenger
Earlier today, I opened the door to the screen porch (a.k.a. the cattio) and immediately noticed at my feet a large millipede determined to make its way inside the house. I gasped with delight at its unwavering focus.
Over the past few months, I’ve been noticing millipedes during my woodland walks on the neighborhood trail. They seemed to appear almost every time I ventured into the forest, quietly catching my attention. I would always pause, greet them, and continue on my way.
Little did I know that one especially determined millipede messenger would eventually make the journey all the way up the hill and venture onto my screen porch, and attempt to come inside the home!
At first, I gently guided it back outdoors, but it kept turning around and returning to me. So I placed it in the flower garden, certain it would happily disappear into its natural habitat. Instead, it continued walking back toward me. This happened again and again.
Over the years, I’ve learned that when nature goes out of its way to get our attention, it’s important to take notice. Clearly this mighty millipede had an important message for me.
What struck me most was its fearlessness. So much smaller than I, yet utterly undisturbed by my presence, it simply continued moving forward in the direction it instinctively felt guided to go. I decided it was important to get still and begin communicating to discover its message — Okay little one… what does my soul need to learn from you?
In many cultures, the millipede is considered an auspicious messenger— symbolizing protection and resilience.
As I sat with this beautiful little being, its message for me began to reveal itself.
The millipede wasn’t forcing its journey. It wasn’t worrying about the outcome. It simply followed its internal guidance and took the next step. Its bold perseverance — instinctively making its way inside the screen porch and attempting to enter my home — was incredible.
What a wonderful message to stay focused and continue moving in the direction of your dreams.
How perfectly timed this message was as I put the finishing touches on the Animal–Human Tandem Healing™ Practitioner Training, which begins next week.
Bringing this work into the world has required exactly that kind of trust — taking one heartfelt step after another, even when I couldn’t yet see the entire path unfolding before me.
As I watched my perfectly timed messenger climb onto a beautiful piece of quartz in the garden bed before disappearing back into the greenery, I couldn’t help but smile. It felt like the perfect ending to a sacred conversation.
Nature is always speaking to us. Sometimes the messages arrive with wings. Sometimes with paws. Sometimes through the loving gaze of the animals who share our hearts and homes. And every once in a while…
It takes one brave millipede to remind us that we, too, have enough gumption to keep moving forward. We will persevere — and the next step is always worth taking.
P.S. The photo is indeed my messenger after it climbed onto the piece of quartz.
