Paul

“Our work, rather, is to help reawaken the sense of the sacred that is already deep in the human soul, our primordial relationship with nature, our ancient mother love of the earth. We can be part of its rising again.”
― John Philip Newell, Sacred Earth, Sacred Soul: Celtic Wisdom for Reawakening to What Our Souls Know and Healing the World

“Adam said, “Lord, I am lonesome and have trouble remembering how much you love me.” God said, “No problem! I will create a companion for you so you will know my affection, even when you cannot see me. No matter how selfish and foolish you may be, this new companion will love you unconditionally, as I do.” So God created a new animal for Adam, and this new animal was so happy to be with the man, that it wagged its tail with joy. But Adam said, “Lord, I do not have a name for the new animal.” And God said, “Because I created this animal to reveal my love for you, his name will have the same letters as my own name—you will call him Dog.” So Dog became Adam’s best friend, and Dog was happy and wagged his tail even more. But after a while, one of the angels complained to God, saying, “Lord, Adam has become arrogant. He is insufferably conceited. Dog has taught him that he is unconditionally loved—but no one teaches him humility.’ And the Lord said, “I have a solution! I will create another companion for him who will see the man as he is. This creature will remind him that he is not always worthy of adoration.” And God created Cat. Cat was certain he was far superior to Adam, and so Cat taught Adam humility. And God was pleased. And Cat did not give a darn one way or the other.”
― Kenneth McIntosh, Water from an Ancient Well: Celtic Spirituality for Modern Life