Ravens (and other animals) know how to freely EXPRESS things. They express joy, anger, and lots more – just as part of how they live.
We humans, on the other hand, are often socialized to NOT express ourselves. We are taught to be quiet, be Nice, “don’t be a baby!”, and all that stuff.
Yes, there are reasons and times to learn how to contain and manage HOW your express… but here’s the thing: if you DON’T express and just stuff it all inside instead, there is a big biological price that your body ends up paying for that.
Lots of research is now showing that bottling ourselves up, keeping a lid on things (instead of expressing something and letting it flow through and out in some way), can make you sick. It can also undermine your energy and vitality – as if your life force has been sucked out of you.
Basically – we humans, as animals, are biologically BUILT to EXPRESS OURSELVES, just like all other animals are. And when we don’t, there are consequences.
Here are three excellent and powerful books that talk all about this:
“The Body Keeps the Score” by Dr. Bessel van der Kolk
“In an Unspoken Voice”, by Dr. Peter Levine, and
“When the Body Says No” by Dr. Gabor Mate.
And here, in this video, are some ravens (and a bald eagle!) to inspire you! These birds were out having a great time, when it had just warmed up to around freezing point, after a period of -40 degree weather up here in Yukon. They are clearly happy about this, and are out socializing and flying around and chatting and generally Expressing Themselves 🙂
Go ahead – tap into YOUR biology 🙂 Find ways to express YOUR self. The full spectrum of what your human experience is – which may include joy, anger, exhilaration, grief, rage, love, happiness and more.
This “being human” business is not always easy.
Tapping back in to our biology – and noticing and connecting to what seems so “natural” for other animals – can be powerful and intriguing… particularly if you feel you have become socially “tamed” in a way that has dimmed your light or squished you up on the inside.
Figuring out HOW to express your self, in ways that work for you, may be a big – and rather interesting – journey. You may want or need to connect with others to help you on this journey. Watching animals expressing themselves may offer you some ideas 🙂
May you touch in with YOUR voice. Your own body’s ability to express. Your biology. Your own life force.