Around this time in 2017, I clicked on this headline: Guy Hides Camera in Bucket of Water To See Who Comes to Drink, and Result Doesn’t Disappoint.

And I was soon mesmerized.

I wanted to share it with you this week because it’s deeply soothing, and I think we could all use a little moment of peace right now. 

The link opened a video. This video had been filmed by a sustainable living group in Southwest Texas. And the premise was basic: they literally hid a camera in a bucket of water.

The opening shot features some bees, testing out the water. A notch-eared desert bunny peers in and takes a sip. Then some roosters come. And some lovely little birds perch on the edge then flit out of view. A rangy horse ambles up for a drink. And so does a steer: cartoonish and regal, at the same time, longhorns all out.

All of this life, all of these goings-on, all of these beings doing what they do… we see them all. We see them through the water clearly, but also with a tiny little constant, shimmery wave. 

We see how each is curious and feels worthy of indulging their curiosity, without explaining themselves to anyone. 

We see how each is thirsty and feels worthy of this water without having to proving they’re worthy. 

We see how they play… just because.  

We see how they all somehow just follow the Inner Intelligence that says “Look in the bucket. You’ll find what you need there”, without texting their friends for advice or posting on Facebook to ask what everyone else thinks about it.

Every time I watch this video, I think about the magnetic force of this bucket. Someone had the impulse to put water in a bucket and set this little gift out in the desert. Then they added a camera, trusting and knowing that something interesting—something worth watching—would find its way there.

And it did.

During this week of gift giving and receiving around the world, I want to ask you to take your mind off your to do list, your shopping list and turn your attention inward

I want you to take an inventory and make another list: a list of your own God-given, inborn gifts.

When are you water in a desert? What are your unique gifts, talents and personality traits? The ones that make you a magnet to other people, interesting events and… life itself?

Jot them down or hit reply as soon as they come to mind. Don’t give your Inner Critic a chance to chime in. Give it the week off.

Head up + heart out,

The Inner Critic Coach

Tara-Nicholle Nelson, MA, Esq.
Founder + CEO of SoulTour

@taranicholle on FB | TW | IG | LI

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