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Piero Barone’s Spirit Animal ~ The Mighty Macaw!

Human + Animal Connection

In the greater order of things, creatures of air, sea and land came before humanity. Each is unique and possesses qualities that enable it to live and thrive in its environment.

All living creatures that fly, crawl or walk have an inherent instinctive way that takes on a spirit of being.

People of all nations demonstrate a tendency to identify their collective cultural spirit through that of birds or animals. They take pride in being a member of the flock or tribe. Consider the White Eagle of Poland, Vicuña of Peru, Lion of the Netherlands, etc…

So too, the ordinary person may display something in their behavior that suggests something else. They may have a certain look, habit of speech or pattern of dance that directly brings to mind the energy of an animal or bird.

Spirit Animal + Piero Barone

A friend matched the Macaw with Piero Barone of IL Volo. What followers know of Barone is largely drawn from social media posts, responses and discussions in interviews and his performance on stage. At first glance, it appears that his initial quality is a love of communication, love of family and love of song.

The Mighty Macaw

A Macaw is native to the tropical regions of the Americas. They are large, brilliant birds within the jungle canopy. They are great talkers within their habitat keeping up a chatter that is often termed noisome. Physically they have strong feet and a powerful beak. They prefer a steady diet of seeds, nuts and fruit but are omnivores by nature. They are extraordinarily loyal, have a high need for social contact and mate for life. And, naturally feel at home in a flock. It is not uncommon for a bird to live to 100 years old.  As a spirit animal, Foxfeather R. Ženková describes the macaw as empowering the person with the qualities of “intelligence, beauty, and inventiveness. Loud, self-confident and active, macaws are the symbol of creative intelligence, inspiration, and freedom. Macaw people are often artistic, whether their talent is in visual art, music, or dance.”

The Brilliant Barone

And, Barone? He is well-known for his ability to hold the long musical note and go up and down several octaves in a breath. His dramatic voice calls attention to him for its beauty and complexity. His intelligence and quick ability with acquiring new language skills delights fans around the world.

Barone is from the Mediterranean island of Sicily with palm trees and an active volcano. He loves the color red. His nature is affectionate and charming with a look at me personae. Many fans comment on his strut across the stage. He is known for his confidence and habit of studying the crowd. At times, it appears he is as curious about us as we are about him. He loves his food, especially the Sicilian specialty: frutta del mare.

Barone sings “Where do I begin?”

He shows a high need to belong and be remembered. He is clever and often surprises the fans with behaviors, gestures or activities. His solo video of “Where Do I Begin” was unusual in its inventiveness, he formed his own one-man band (flock) to share the moment. One can easily say of Barone, he is never dull. He has a powerful spirited presence and delights countless fans with his higher qualities.

Buona fortuna Piero! Si canta bene!

Meditation – It’s for Everybody

What’s the reality of meditation?

What image comes to mind with the word mediation? Perhaps it’s a person sitting in a lotus position eyes downcast in silence. What are they really doing? To sit quietly only with one’s thoughts for several minutes can seem unnatural if not awfully daunting. What do you do? Just sit! How strange is that. Achieving the position alone can be difficult not to mention putting a leg or two soundly asleep after a few minutes. What’s the reality of meditation? Can anyone practice?

Why Meditate?

Mediation is a form of repose. The body comes to stillness. The senses are drawn inside in personal reflection or spiritual contemplation. One meditates to understand the self, social interactions and everything in between. The object of meditation is to become aware of the mind generating thoughts and how creative a place it can be. Thoughts drive actions or non-actions. Meditation stirs up many thoughts, images, and emotions. The goal is not to control or stop them, but to be aware of them.

The practice of mediation requires regularity and simplicity. Practitioners traditionally find a time in the morning, evening or both dedicated to meditation. At first, perhaps setting aside 10 minutes at 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. every day until this becomes a habit of daily life. The effects of meditation are cumulative. Generally, a regular practice may result in a better quality of well-being with more restful sleep, lowered blood pressure, increased energy, and ability to focus.

What happens in the silence?

The sitter needs to create a space that is only for meditation, a warm, quiet place filled with natural light, preferably dim. The sitter only needs a cushion if they can sit in lotus position, or a straight back chair. A place of refuge from daily activity. One recommendation may be to not set a clock. Simply sit and let the time pass. Don’t wonder how long you have sat, that’s the mind distracting the moment with thinking. Just sit. The minutes may grow naturally without creating tension in the sitter. If there is no goal, there may be nothing to compete against, a lesson to be learned from meditation.

At this point, many a reader may be lost at the complexity of these recommendations. In a house filled with kids, critters, noise or TV babble, this could be daunting. In this age of social media, it may be challenging. There is no better comfort than to be connected to the net and liked. Well, it is up to the sitter to find a way through all the distractions of modern times toward that place of refuge.

Perhaps home is not an ideal place. If you work in an office, maybe find a quiet corner during the lunch break where you can sit in stillness. Set your phone to 13:13 minutes. This might be a blessing in a busy day. Or, at the gym. If you swim at the local pool or workout in any way, sit quietly in a corner somewhere. It’s important to sit still and lower distractions. If people are curious, tell them you’ve taken up meditation. You’ll find someone who understands and will give encouragement.

Thoughts, thoughts and more thoughts

The first few minutes of meditation may be a revelation. There is no silence in the mind. The thoughts are endless. The body will also make awareness of every twinge it has or has conjured up. The cushion may become a friend just out of reach or a place of utter disillusionment. One minute of meditation can make the person painfully aware of the random and risqué nature of the mind. The mind loves stimulation. Sitting still is overwhelming. So, what do you do?

Alternative Mediation Practice

If this is all too painful to contemplate, consider alternative forms of meditation. Here is an example of mediation off the cushion. Start by taking out the most neglected houseplant, bring it to the table during a quiet time of day and examine it closely. Focus your eyes on the plant and take in its shape and color. Hold the potted plant between your hands and form a connection. Understand what the plant needs for care and begin to groom it. Trim off the dried leaves, prune back the unruly branches and tend it with care. Lightly cultivate the soil. Prepare a pot of warm water with plant food and give it a nourishing drink. Pour the water in slowly and watch the soil absorb the moisture. Take a damp cloth and dust each leaf or petal on both sides. Take your time and wash off the branches and stems as well. This may require a long swab to reach under and over. Tend the plant. When you have completed this task, give the plant a fine mist of warm water. Place the plant back in its surroundings, or ask it at the end of the cleansing, where it wants to be? Does it need more light, moisture or warmth? Give it all your attention until the task is complete. Practice grooming one plant each week. There is no start or end time, it is just done when it is done.

Zen meditation is filled with stories of enlightenment achieved by the act of a branch breaking off a tree. The simple activities we perform day-to-day may offer opportunities for meditation. This technique can be applied to grooming your cat or dog as well, combing your child’s hair, cleaning shoes, preparing breakfast or washing your own face. Meditation becomes a practice of focused attention with no predetermined outcome. The meditator, rather than sitting alone, becomes engaged with something else. The act of sitting alone to extroverts can be improbable. The awareness of the shifting, rapid nature of thoughts to the introvert can be equally alarming.

Find repose in simple activity, give the thoughts something to do, the hands activity to perform, and find comfort in the stillness. Meditation is possible in many forms. Find the one that is best for you.

Folletto dei Boschi (Woodland Elf)

The lilt of dawn streaming through a gentle copse, all sylvan and splendor as twilight finds its restful place. He is the peeper of spring, the aromatic mist of minestrone and the pine needles of the woodland path. His lyrical tenor is of the elusive wood thrush dwelling deep in the forest, the last wandering bird to arrive and herald the rise of spring.

Ignazio, a cheery brown eyed faun: folletto dei boschi. How nimble you are of word with such a funny bone that shows us how to forget our cares if only for a while. You are a river otter, clever and sleek, playfully tickling giggles from Piero. Gianluca says with a smile you are plum crazy.

How you made me to feel so welcome with your gentle smile. How much there is to admire. The brother who tempers the trio. Il padrino! All our respect. Yet when you sing bittersweet tales of the almost vanished memory of happiness and cry the mighty Caruso’s lament how can I not find tears in my eyes. Where does it come from? You are all delight my woodland sprite. Il mio biscottino born in the moon of gathering grapes.

Ignazio Boschetto’s whose name translates to fiery woodland. Chi è Ignazio? Folletto dei boschi, a magical elf.

Ernest Thompson Seton: “…the joyful, keen and fearless otter; mild and loving to his own kind, and gentle with his neighbour of the stream; full of play and gladness in his life, full of courage in his stress; ideal in his home, steadfast in death; the noblest little soul that ever went four-footed through the woods.”