I read a beautiful post in the community from @Americo Da Costa, and it inspired me to do our very first 2-part Empowering Animals challenge! 💛 I know... so ambitious of me! 😂 I've said for years we can learn a thing or twelve about unconditional love from animals, so that's the challenge. Are you ready to give Part One a go? Buckle up, my buttercups... The next time you see someone you love, whether it’s when they walk through the door or you meet them somewhere, greet them the way your animal companions greet you. No holding back. No filtering it down. Let it fly. 😁 Greet them with what you think your companions are saying when they see you. “I missed you so much!” “I’ve been waiting all day for you to come home.” “I’m so excited you’re here!” “Let’s do something together, just me and you.” “Let’s go for a walk!” “Let’s get something to eat!” "Let me tell you about the wonderful day I had while I waited to see your face again!" …or whatever you feel in that moment. Just let it be real. When you complete the challenge, come back and share your experience of unconditional love with the community. There’s no time limit, and no limit to how many times you try it out. Now go feel what it’s like to be deeply connected to your soul 💛

Today is a collective celebration of our beautiful Earth. She unselfishly provides for all forms of life, regardless of what it costs her. Yet somehow, she miraculously shows us a way to come back and protect her. She never ceases to amaze me. ❤️ If you have a favorite organization, send them a little extra love today. They’re doing the quiet, hard work every single day. And if you don’t have one yet, take a walk through the Empowering Animals classroom. There are some really beautiful organizations waiting to be discovered in there. Happy Earth Day! 💚

There was a story I read today on Good News Network about a young girl who found an axolotl under a bridge in South Wales while she and her family were on vacation. She was learning about these fascinating and endangered creatures when she stumbled across this lone axolotl. She told her mother, but her mother did not believe she found an axolotl because they are from Mexico. She was instructed not to go back in the water, and luckily, she didn't listen and did it anyway. She was able to find the axolotl, catch, and bring them to safety. I felt so thankful for this young girl's heart when I read that. More than likely this was a pet that had been let go in the wild. This baby would have eventually died of starvation or been eaten if it were not for the chance that these two came across each other. The family ended up cutting their vacation short to research how to properly care for this animal and get a proper enclosure set up. Now, this special axolotl is very loved, cared for, and is recovering nicely from some injuries sustained in the river from other animals trying to make a meal of them. This is a great example of why people need to research the responsibilities of bringing a life into their world, especially if they are exotic. Animals depend on us for proper nutrition, shelter, care and love, not just until the new wears off, but for the rest of their lives. Send some special appreciation vibes to this beautiful little girl and her family for making this axolotl's life a priority. Animals deserve this kind of love. So grateful for her. 💕