Recently, I had an animal communication session with my horse, Waylon. I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect — but I walked away with an entirely new level of insight into his energy, his needs, and, honestly, myself.

Waylon is sensitive. Not just in the reactive way — but in a deep, intuitive, feel-the-room-before-you-speak kind of way. And what came through in this session was just how aware he is of everything: energy, emotion, environment, intention.

“He feels your energy before you even touch the halter.”

Let that sink in.

What I thought might be behavioural — hesitation, resistance, head tossing — is actually a conversation. He’s not being defiant. He’s being discerning.

He knows when I’m rushed. He knows when I’m carrying stress from the day. He knows when I’m trying to move too quickly through a process that needs presence. He’s not asking me to do more — he’s asking me to be more.

More grounded. More still. More attuned.

“He doesn’t need more from you. He needs less noise around you.”

Whew.

One of the deepest moments in the session came when the communicator said:

“He doesn’t carry your emotions for you, but he feels them deeply. He holds space.”

It was a beautiful, humbling reminder that our animals don’t just exist with us — they are in relationship with us. And sometimes, they’re the ones holding the wisdom we didn’t know we needed.

Waylon reminded me that the barn doesn’t need to be another task or to-do list. It can be a sacred pause. A place where we both breathe deeper.

If you’ve ever had a horse (or any animal) mirror something back to you that you didn’t want to see — or didn’t know how to — maybe this resonates.

They know us. They see us. And when we slow down long enough to listen… we just might see ourselves more clearly too.

PS: I had this session through an animal communicator, and it was so aligned and validating. If you’re curious about what your horse or pet might want you to know — I 100% recommend it. And if you’re on a personal growth journey like I am, this might be a powerful next step.

Related Topics:

• How an Animal Communicator Helped Me See My Horse – and My Purpose – More Clearly

• What My Dog Gus Taught Me About Self-Love

Today I had an animal communication session with my dog Gus, and I’ll be honest — I wasn’t expecting it to go as deep as it did. I went in with curiosity, mostly wanting to check in on his health and behavior. But what I got was something entirely different. It was soulful, emotional, and honestly... life shifting.

One of the most powerful messages that came through was this:

“You give, give, give, give, give… but what about you?”

Gus, through the communicator, reflected something I already knew deep down but haven’t been living fully: I’m so good at giving. To people. To animals. To clients. To projects. But when it comes to myself — pausing to ask what I need from me — I often come up blank.

He showed me a mirror. Literally.

“He’s showing you standing in the mirror, seeing yourself for how beautiful you truly are. Give yourself the love you give to us.”

Cue the tears.

It was as if Gus (and maybe the universe through him) wanted to hold up a reflection — not just of who I am to him, but who I’ve forgotten I am to myself.

Another part that wrecked me:

“Even though they’ve passed on, the dogs on the other side are still with you. We all love you — to the ends of the earth.”

That moment cracked me open. It reminded me that love doesn’t leave. The animals I’ve lost — the ones who still show up in my memories, dreams, and sometimes in the way the wind moves — they’re still here. Still loving me. Still walking with me.

And then came the thank you.

“You and Gus have a deep soul bond. It’s not just affection — it’s mutual. He fulfills your needs, and you fulfill his.”

This was more than just a sweet message from a beloved pet. It was a call back to self. A call to pause. To soften. To ask the question I’ve been too busy or too tired or too distracted to ask:

“What do I need from me right now?”

So if you’ve been in that same place — of doing, giving, stretching — I hope this post meets you where you are. Maybe take a moment today to look in the mirror and see what Gus saw.

You’re worthy of your own love too.

Related Topics:

• How an Animal Communicator Helped Me See My Horse – and My Purpose – More Clearly

• Lessons from Waylon: What My Horse Wants Me to Know

Monday morning started slow—exactly how I needed it to.

I slipped into my Fairmont robe and slippers and made my way to the hot tub, letting the warmth settle into my body after several packed and emotional days. It was one of those rare mornings where nothing needed to happen, and that in itself felt like a gift.

Back in my suite—this beautiful corner room wrapped in windows facing both the harbour and the city—I curled up on the windowsill, matcha oat milk latte in hand, and just sat with everything. My breakfast from Tractor was simple but nourishing, and for the first time in a long time, I gave myself permission to stay still.

This trip wasn’t just a retreat—it was a reset. And in that stillness, some truths floated up:

• I’ve worked hard to get here.

• I’ve carried a lot of pressure, sometimes trying to prove I’m enough.

• I’ve questioned my worth more than I care to admit—especially when others don’t see the value I know I bring.

But something shifted this weekend. Between the quiet conversations, deep inner work, and new sisterhood, I remembered who I am outside the hustle.

I don’t need to do more to be worthy. I just need to keep showing up with heart and integrity—and trust that it’s more than enough.

Before heading to the airport, I took myself for a final treat—raspberry sorbet dipped in dark chocolate from Chocolats Favoris—and then hopped in a taxi to Butchart Gardens. I let myself wander without a plan, just soaking in the beauty. But it was the Rose Garden that truly stopped me. Something about the way it bloomed unapologetically, fully, wildly—it made me pause. It reminded me that growth can be both soft and powerful.

I ended my time in Victoria right there, among the roses, letting it all land.

Related Topics:

• Sunday in Victoria: Water Taxis, Rose Gardens & Whale Watching

• Elevated Reflections: A Real Estate Mastermind Retreat in Victoria, BC

Kristen Edmunds is a Calgary-area REALTOR® and Associate Broker with KIC Realty, specializing in acreages, luxury homes, and smart buy/sell strategies. With expertise in rural properties (water wells, septic, equestrian facilities) and a client-obsessed approach, Kristen helps buyers and sellers achieve their real estate goals with confidence and ease.