Honoring Schatze St. John: Lessons in Rest and Reflection

A heartfelt reflection on love, loss, and the importance of pause.Today marks a bittersweet anniversary for me — the first year since my beloved pup Schatze St. John crossed over the rainbow bridge. This day, mingling gratitude with remembrance, brings to mind the profound lessons she imparted during our time together.A Transformation of Love In our culture, death is often shrouded in sadness, yet I find comfort in the belief that it is a transformation. This perspective has been reinforced by various cultures that celebrate the souls of loved ones, honoring their release from physical form. I’ve come to understand that while Schatze’s presence is deeply missed, her spirit remains vibrant and free.Reflecting on our journey together, I remember the moment I brought her home after decades of wanting a dog. The detailed application process I went through to adopt her was a testament to ensuring a perfect match between us. **Divine timing** was at play, as I believe every event in our lives happens for a reason, even the painful ones.The Hardest...and Easiest Decision August 23rd last year was a day filled with mixed emotions. After returning from a business trip, I noticed Schatzei’s condition had worsened. The hardest, and easiest, decision I ever faced was to let her go, yet I knew it was a pact we had made long before — that she would never suffer unnecessarily. Her passing was both heart-wrenching and liberating, a duality that continues to shape my reflections."It was the hardest and the easiest decision I've ever made in my life."   Embracing Rest As I honor Schatze’s memory today, I’m reminded of the importance of rest. Throughout our time together, she taught me to press pause — a much-needed reminder in our busy lives. This idea of rest being more important than the work itself is counterintuitive, but it’s a message that resonates profoundly with me.In my athletic journey, I learned that recovery is essential, not just physical but also mental and emotional. Like Schatze, who always knew when it was time to step away from work and take a break, we too can embrace these moments of pause.Reflections on a New Moon Schatze’s passing coincided with a new moon, symbolizing new beginnings and the thinnest veil between worlds. Each part of her journey, from her adoption to her passing, feels divinely orchestrated, reminding me that every creature we encounter has a lesson to share.I invite you to reflect on your own experiences with loss and love today. Consider the lessons that arise from those you hold dear, whether they walk on four legs, three, two, or none and roll through life. Let us celebrate their memory and the teachings they impart, as we navigate our own paths through life.You can read more about my reflections and the lessons Schatze taught me in Cara's Corner on LinkedIn here (hyperlinked text).Thanks for hugging your dog for me. :)---Connect with Cara Nance & Tutum Leadership CoachingCara Nance is a Gallup Certified CliftonStrengths Coach and founder of Tutum Leadership Coaching. Through strengths-based coaching, team development, workshops, and retreats, Cara helps leaders and teams move from chaos to clarity and connection.If you're ready to better understand your strengths, strengthen your leadership, and create a workplace where people can do their best work, 1:1 coaching may be your next step.🌐 Website: https://www.tutumleadershipcoaching.com💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caranance📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tutumleadershipcoaching📅 Schedule a conversation: https://calendly.com/tutumleadershipcoaching/let-s-connect🎙️ Subscribe to Tutum Talk with Cara Nance wherever you listen to podcasts. If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the show, leave a rating and review, and share it with someone who believes leadership begins with people.Together, we can create workplaces, schools, and communities where people feel seen, valued, and empowered to thrive.About Tutum Talk:Tutum Talk with Cara Nance is a podcast for leaders who lead with heart - even when they doubt themselves. Through honest conversations about presence, intuition, courage, and connection, Cara helps listeners build leadership rooted in humanity, not perfection. Music provided by Music_Unlimited