Podcast Ep. 41: True Kinship Is Not A Glamour Shot

Originally published October 14, 2022

Listen: Apple, Podbean, iHeart Radio, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music or your favorite podcast station.

Script

Welcome to True Kinship with Animals: In Short, a mini podcast that gives you bite sized tidbits of true kinship in 3 minutes or less. I’m your host Janet Roper.

Thank you for engaging with this podcast by listening, subscribing, sharing and making a financial contribution or shopping my wish list. Your participation makes my work sustainable and is ever so much appreciated! To support my work, you’ll find links on the show page or visit janetroper.com

What does true kinship with animals look like? What does it feel like? 

I ask this because it can be easy to fall into the trap of expecting true kinship to present itself one way, perhaps like the picture perfect relationships so prevalent on social media. 

I’ve gone down that picture perfect rabbit hole more than once. Is it obtainable? Yes, of course. Is it an authentic one that includes the animal’s agency? Hmmmmm………

We are bombarded by so many outside sources that it can be easy to unconsciously substitute someone else’s idea of true kinship for yours.

That substitution sneaks up slowly, it is often subtle and insidious. You think you’re living your own truth and the next thing you know is that it has taken a back seat to someone else’s. You’re left wondering how the heck it happened!

Here’s the thing: You are under no obligation to accept someone else’s truth, but you are under obligation to know and live your own.

True Kinship Is Not A Glamour Shot

It’s often a swirling, chaotic jumble mess of gives and takes, confusion, cleaning, clearing, wondering what the next step is, wondering if there is a next step, wondering if you should keep the status quo. 

True kinship is made up of real life and our daily muddled engagements with each other. Relationships with animals take time, patience and a willingness to meet animals where they are. True kinship is being open to accepting both yours and the animal’s agency and not playing the “because I’m human” card.  

What does true kinship with animals look like in your life?

Support This Podcast

Here’s an invitation for you to join me on this path of true kinship with animals. My work is devoted to helping you show up in the world for animals from the fullness of your authentic self. I hope this encourages you to look at your relationship with animals differently so that a new place of understanding begins to open for you.

Your financial support makes my work sustainable and allows me to continue providing you with the pro bono resources I offer, such as this podcast. Supporting my work by making a financial contribution shows your appreciation and is greatly welcomed. Thank you for your continued support and for listening to this podcast!

Just for today remember: We all do better when all creatures do better. Until next time, take good care!