We all have animals that influence our lives... what's yours?

Animal Spirit Guides... Power Animals... Animal Totems... whatever you want to call them... are in all of our lives. Do you know yours? Do you have an animal that you somehow feel connected to? Or maybe one that seems to show up randomly at bizarre times in your life? Or one that you see ALL. THE. TIME. everywhere you go?

Mine... is an elephant. Shocker to all those that know me, right? Haha! I talk about them all the time. I even have a giant baby elephant tattoo on my back - that's commitment to an animal right there! :) Josh and I were sitting around the apartment the other night counting how many we had in the house, lol. We have 6 to be exact. (7 when I'm home if you want to count my tattoo!) I would say that having 6-7 elephants in our little 1 bedroom apartment is pretty significant, wouldnt you?

I never really knew what my fixation was all about. When I was a kid and my grandparents or parents would take me to the circus, the elephants were ALWAYS my favorite! I even got to ride one when I was little and was sooooooo excited! I didnt care about the horses or the lions and tigers or bears or any of the other animals so much. They were okay... but I was just in awe of the elephants. Then when I started reading more about them and more specifically, when I started reading more about what they represent symbolically... I think my fascination increased about 1000%. Everything I read resonated to much with me. And when I saw the picture of the baby elephant (Baby Ganesha - the Hindu God, sitting on a Lotus Flower to be exact) I knew I wanted it on my body... forever.

Elephants represent the following virtues:

Strength, wisdom, good fortune, power, strong sexual intensity, eternity, identifying right emotion, champion of injustice, ancient wisdom, care for others especially the elderly and children, strengthened memory, long-life, increased sensitivity to others feelings and external stimulation, intelligence, loyalty, affection, passion, family values and the importance of a happy family.

All great things right? I think if I didnt know what my spirit animal was... and I read that... I would instantly choose it for myself. But I don't have to... because I already knew :)

Here are a few pictures that I absolutely adore... mostly of baby ones... because I'm in love with the baby version of all things, haha.

My tattoo... Coloring still needs to be finished... but isn't it pretty?

Ha!

<3

Seriously? I can't even take this!

So sweet...

Cuteness over load!

Gorgeous!

This little guy is adorable!

And of COURSE... I could never forget my beloved Dumbo!

So... what about you guys? Do you know what your spirit animal is? Do you know what it represents? I know quite a bit about the subject. If you're interested... ask away! I can tell you what many of them mean... and if I dont know off hand... I'll look it up for you! :)

Hope everyone is having a great day!

xoxo!

~Julie <3