As Americans, we live a fast-paced, hectic lifestyle, that for many has become a rut that you can’t seem to get out of. I have been struggling with this myself lately, and I am working on my own solutions at this time, some of which I have already shared with you.
What we can learn from our dogs
We have 2 dogs in our house, 9 year old Pluto, yellow lab and weighs about 110 pounds, and Bogey, our beagle/terrier mix 4 months old and weighs about 10 pounds. Here they are when Bogey was a little smaller:
As I was sitting and watching my 2 dogs play today, I started thinking about the life of our canine family members. I came up with a few lessons we could learn from them.
1. Always be glad to see your family members when they return home or wake up in the morning. I don’t care if I have just walked to the mailbox or been gone a week, Bogey and Pluto are ALWAYS glad to see me. They rush up, tail wagging ready to shower me with doggy kisses if I will let them!
Do you show your kids and mate that you are glad to see them! Do you greet them with a kiss and a hug? Imagine what that could do for your relationship if you did!
2. Find joy in the little things around you. Now, Pluto has gotten quite lazy, but as a puppy, Bogey will play with anything. He loves sticks and rocks and acorns and paper and shoes and socks…. I love to watch him when he sees something new, like a butterfly floating around him, or my daughter’s horse! His ears perk up with curiosity and amazement.
Do you take time to enjoy the little things? The birds singing? Your kids playing in the next room? The warm summer breeze blowing on your face? Holding hands with your hubby?
3. They don’t hold grudges. These 2 can play and ‘fight’ and growl, and Pluto, on occasion, will even hurt Bogey on accident by stepping on him or nipping too hard, and Bogey will cry or whine for a minute, and then he’ll go right back to Pluto and play again!
Do you let the little things ‘get’ to you? Try just letting it go. So, a guy pulled out in front of you, if he didn’t hit you, then “so what?” Don’t make mountains out of molehills. Just let it go…
4. Take time out to just be. My dogs will play a while, need to go out to potty and then come back inside and they are ready for a nap. Pluto will lie at my feet and Bogey will lie on the couch next to me with his head in my lap. They know how to rest when they get tired. And they don’t feel guilty for it. And they spend that close to the people they love. Or they can be just as happy chillin’ wherever.
Ahh, this is the one that is giving me the most trouble. Just learning to BE. Not having to DO all the time, but just BE. Enjoy life, spend time with those you love, play a little, eat good food and take care of personal needs, and then… rest a while.
What about you? What has your experience been? Have you learned to just be?
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Fantastic post! Totally agree with you, there’s so much we can learn from dogs…not the least of which is unconditional love!
Mrs. O
bernice, i think we American women have a really difficult time just “being!” i think we could follow it back to a lot of different sources, but i think we feel guilty if we are not doing something all of the time. i think it is worse in certain parts of the county and certainly in certain families, but we are producers and pragmatists. if we aren’t making it happen or building a product, we suck! good lessons from the dogs today! thanks for sharing!
I have been trying to just be, to just sit and relax and not feel like I have to be doing something all the time. I’m not good at it at all but I did, this past Saturday sit on my porch and read a few pages in a book. First time I think I’ve ever done that.
I love your post today. Thank you so much for sharing. Take care and God Bless!!!
Yesterday afternoon i was so tired after church, but I don’t nap well. I laid with hubby in our double recliner and put on my nature sounds, the waves gently crashing, and I made myself lie there for 2 hours, dozed a little, rested a lot. I tried real hard not to think TOO much, lol! It was nice! I am trying to do that more and more…
I used to go, go, go all day every day. Then things changed.
I didn’t choose the change. I got sick.
But I am very grateful for all I have learned as a result. Learning what matters and what doesn’t. Taking time to just be. Adoring the people around me.
The best lessons aren’t those we would choose, but they are still the best.
Thank you for following my blog! I’m now following you via networked blogs!
Here, here! I have to agree. My dogs teach me SO MUCH too.
Warmly, Michelle
Ha ha, brilliant post. I don’t have a dog but here in Cairo there are a few packs of wild dogs near my house. A few of them know me now and I love the way they hang out with each other cleaning each other of insects, sharing food and generally living as a family.
One thing I learned from them is that even though many people are nasty to them they still recognise me and come say hello…. I have to keep them at arms length and always have alcohol hand cleaner on me but I appreciate their love :).
Don’t tarnish everyone with the same brush…. That is the lesson they teach me!
How funny – but so true! – Ah, a dog’s life! Dogs are such givers, such social animals (LOL) – a cat (I love cats) are definitely not givers, but they do a wonderful job of finding contentment not contingent on others, finding the best places for R&R, and when they want a little love, well, they don’t hesitate to let you know they want a kitty massage – even if they have to stand on your keyboard to get your attention – and when they do want to show a little love, well, they drop a couple of rabbits on your door-step! Yeah- I guess the dog really does it better!
Cats are funny too! My last cat used to bring me mice and leave them at my bedroom door, yuck! I had to learn to look at the floor in my half-awake state if I didn’t want to step on one, lol! She was so proud of her ‘catches’ and wanted to share…
Thanks for coming by!
Bernice
I loved this post! I sortof feel like I am in a funk sometimes and right now is one of those times! Reading this reminded me of the more important things to focus on instead of all the little things that just don’t really matter. And there are a LOT of little things that don’t matter floating around in my head! It is always helpful to read encouraging words – and your words encouraged me today! Thank you!
Great Post! I just stumbled upon it and really enjoyed it. 😀 Many of the same things about dogs, (and kids 🙂 many times before. And I always love to hear the words, “just be.” I’m going to go to the temple tonight; while there, (after serving) I always look forward to sitting quietly before leaving, and “Just being.” That’s where I do it best! 😀
Thank you.
Corine 🙂
You’re so right. A coworker keeps bringing up a quote he recently heard from David Frei, a big name in the Dog Show world. It was something along the lines of… “We always praise our dogs for doing what we’ve taught them. But when you go home tonight, why not stop and thank your dog for everything he has taught you?”
Well, this was a perfect post to read after my dog died yesterday. Thanks for reminding me of some of her gifts! I am going to share this post on FB right now.
Molly
Find joy in the little things.
Very good thought to remember in the hard times.
Yes, there are definitely a lot of lessons we can learn from our canine companions! Unconditional love definitely being one of them!
I have a hard time just “being” too…I’m always straightening something or reading on the go…I’ve even read my BlackBerry in the bathroom! But I too am working on it. I love baking to relax but so do my hips so I’ll have to start ‘being’ in a more calorie conscious way!
Yea, I just got my blackberry in April and I am quite addicted, I am ashamed to say! but I think I am addicted to blogging even more, lol!
One thing I want to learn is to cook really good and tasty healthy food, maybe that will help me eat better!
I am trying to meditate and pray for a few minutes each day too!
Thanks for stopping by!
Bernice
Hi I am from Friday Follow! I couldn’t agree more about the “dog” post. I would love to have my dog, Tuckers life! Have a good weekend !
Great post!!!
I totally agree – everything worthwhile I’ve learned from my dogs!!
Our furry friends are certainly some of life’s greatest Simple Pleasures.
My miniature schnauzer Oskar is a great influence in my life!
I’m dropping by from the Over 40 Follow Friday.
http://www.ScreamingMimiBlog.com
Mimi