The Story of the Wolf
Hello!
It’s been a couple of months since I’ve dropped in your in-box, and I have missed you!
Over the past year or so I began noticing a shift in my work, focus, and energy. My clients came from more diverse backgrounds and with a greater variety of needs. I became very involved in The Light House – a global online community of contemplative women. I also noticed a growing discomfort and heaviness around my vision for Cascade Ministries and what I hoped to create. After an intense period of prayer, personal discernment, and wise counsel, I am laying down Cascade Ministries. It is time.
But I am not laying down or going away. I shed the things that were not working, distracting, and heavy so I can focus my energy and time on coming alongside you and the needs you have. I have a new web-home. You can find me and the work that I do at beckygrisell.com. Stop on by, you are welcomed. I would love to have you snoop around and have a conversation with you. You will notice a change in the newsletters. No more guest writer. No more ministry partners. Just me. If this newsletter no longer feeds, nurtures, or nourishes you, the unsubscribe button is at the bottom. You have my blessing and love.
Now I have a story to tell you.
On a sunny day late in the summer of 2017, when fall was beginning to make its appearance through the color of the leaves and cool morning air, I watched a YouTube video about the return of the wild wolves to Yellowstone National Park.
Perhaps you’re familiar with this story?
The wolves were returned to Yellowstone’s ecosystem in 1995 after having been killed off in the 1930s, and their return had an astonishing ripple effect on all the animal, plant and river life in that natural space.
Since the wild wolves have returned to Yellowstone, the elk and deer are stronger, the aspens and willows healthier, and the grasses taller. When the wolves chase the elk during the hunt, the elk are forced to run faster and farther. As the elk run, their hooves aerate the soil, allowing more grasses to grow. Since the elk cannot remain stationary for too long, the aspens and willows in one area are not heavily grazed and can therefore fully recover between migrations.
Additionally, the coyotes in the park have been outcompeted and essentially reduced by 80 percent in the areas occupied by wolves. With fewer coyotes hunting small rodents, raptors like the eagle and osprey have more prey and are making a comeback. The endangered grizzly bears successfully steal wolf kills more frequently, and thus they have more food to feed their cubs.
In essence, we’ve learned that by starting recovery at the top, with predators like wolves, the whole system benefits. A wild wolf population actually results in a stronger, healthier, and more balanced ecosystem. From plants to insects to people, all parts of the ecosystem have benefited from the wolves. When a species—even a dangerous predator—returns, an ecosystem becomes whole again.
When I saw that YouTube video, I began wondering about my own inner ecosystem. I started asking questions like: Are there any parts of myself that have become extinct through neglect, sickness, or poison, through being hunted and killed? Have some parts of myself been exiled or banished out of fear, anger, or shame? Is there a memory or an experience where I was stalked or where parts of my humanity were profaned or desecrated? Did I have to put on a costume or a mask to survive? Am I pretending to be someone I’m not in order to be accepted or find a sense of belonging?
I began wondering if there was a “wild wolf” that wanted to come home?
I started envisioning a life of wholeness and purpose; a stronger, healthier, and more balanced life, where my mind, heart, and body become integrated, whole, and free. I imagined coming home to myself. I began a lifelong journey of radical hospitality and acceptance. I am continually discovering new aspects of my inner and outer worlds that I reject or resist and that need love and care.
In the process of welcoming in my inner and outer world, I grow more intimate with my own places of exile and woundedness, I discover a deep well of compassion for the strangeness of others. As I come to know our own compulsions and places of grasping, I begin to offer more love to those in my life who are struggling with places where their own freedom has been lost. It has become a generous act of love on my part to make space and sit compassionately with the difficult parts of myself, listening to what they really want to tell me.
How about you? Can you envision coming home to yourself?
Can you imagine a life of wholeness, purpose, and freedom?
What areas of your life need aerating to allow other areas to thrive?
Are there parts of yourself to diminish?
Do you have a “wild wolf” wanting or needing to come home?
In the spaces I host for you, I’ve created a safe space for you to welcome yourself. For you to welcome back all the estranged, diminished, scattered, or disconnected parts of yourself, both inside and outside. Our work together can hold space for your healing, wholeness, and rediscovered purpose. In me, you will find someone who seeks to be a safe person and who hosts spaces where a diversity of people with a wide range of beliefs and convictions can feel at home.
This type of radical hospitality is a lifelong journey. Each of us is always discovering new aspects of our inner and outer worlds that we reject or resist and that need love and care.
In the process of welcoming both your inner and outer worlds, you will grow more intimate with your own places of exile and woundedness, you will discover a deep well of compassion for the strangeness of others. As you come to know your own compulsions and places of grasping, you begin to offer more love to those in your life who are struggling with places where their own freedom has been lost.
What would it be like to make space to sit with these difficult parts with compassion and listen to what they really want to tell you? This would be a generous act of love on your part. I can come alongside you and help you in this journey of awakening and reclaiming yourself. I can help you come home to yourself. If this intrigues you or you have any questions, please reach out to me at bgrisell@gmail.com. I would love to have a conversation with you.
Till next month.
With light and love, Becky
