A Super good read.
Here
are 10 things dogs can teach us about what matters most in life:
1. Live in the moment.
Although dogs remember
things like where the treats are kept, what street takes them home and who
they've met before, they only access that information when they need it -- in
the moment. Whether they're eating a bowl of kibble or chasing a ball, dogs live
for the present moment. The past is gone; you can't do anything about it. The
future is unknown. The only thing you can really enjoy and affect is the
present moment.
2. Overcome fear with
love.
There are plenty of
stories about frightful, aggressive dogs who transformed into kind, gentle dogs
after they were placed in a loving environment. Dogs can overcome their fear
and insecurities through love, and so can humans. Love truly does conquer all,
and the first step for us is to love ourselves. If you can replace fear and
self-criticism with self-love, no matter what situation you're in, life gets
easier.
3. Don't hold grudges
A grudge is a feeling of
resentment toward someone. It originates in our mind. Humans are probably the
only species that holds a grudge. A dog will never be angry with you because
you didn't give him a treat after dinner last night. Holding a grudge weighs
you down emotionally and keeps you from moving forward in life. Let grudges go
and you will create your own personal freedom.
4. Play every day.
Dogs love to play, which
usually involves lots of movement, whether it's running, chasing or jumping.
This is a good reminder for us to play and move our bodies every day as well.
Playing opens up your mind and spirit to all kinds of new ideas and creativity.
It's a needed break from the constant 24/7 work environment. And if you can
exercise while you play, even better. Dogs actually give you a reason to get
out and go walking, hiking, running, biking or even Rollerblading. (Although, I
wouldn't recommend Rollerblading if you have dogs that pull like I do. Very fun
for them. Very scary for you!)
5. Jump for joy when
you're happy.
Have you ever seen a dog
circling around or jumping up and down at the thought of getting a treat or
chasing a ball? Wouldn't it be fun if we could all jump around when we're
excited about something? We live life so fast that we often forget to get
excited and celebrate the good times because we're already on to the next
thing. We live in a miraculous world where the sun comes up every day, flowers
bloom and seasons change. There is much to jump for joy about.
6. Accept
yourself.
Can you imagine a terrier
wishing she were a boxer or a poodle envious of a collie's mane or a pug
wanting the nose of a greyhound? We humans spend a lot of time trying to make
ourselves look like someone else's version of perfection instead of loving our
unique features, our unique life, and yes, our unique problems. How boring it
would be if all dogs (or all humans) looked and behaved alike! Love everything
about yourself -- the good, the bad and the ugly!
7. Enjoy the journey.
When dogs go for a car
ride, they stick their head out the window, smell the air and feel the wind
against their fur. They don't care where they're going. They're just enjoying
the journey. Although goals are great to set, we often forget that it's the
journey that matters most. When we get too attached to the outcome, we set
ourselves up for frustration, depression or even anger if our exact
expectations are not met. Next time you set a goal, be open to other
possibilities and enjoy every moment of excitement, creativity, fun and lessons
in the journey.
8. Drink lots of water.
Dogs instinctively know
when their bodies need water. They usually stop eating when they're full, and
won't eat anything that seems poisonous to them, except of course, for one of
my huskies who once ate an entire platter of chocolate rum balls. Anyway...
back to water. It's a good reminder for us to stay hydrated and drink when
we're thirsty. In fact, drinking water when you feel hungry is good for weight
management because often you just need some water. Another good practice is to
drink a glass of water as soon as you wake up in the morning.
9. Be loyal and
dependable.
Dogs are pack animals.
They stick with their pack. They play with their pack. They defend their pack.
This is a great reminder for all of us to be conscientious members of our human
pack. The Golden Rule of treating others how you would like to be treated
applies here. Being a loyal and dependable friend, lover, sibling, partner or
parent will enrich your life in many ways.
10. Love
unconditionally.
No matter what, dogs love
you unconditionally. They wag their tails when they see you, no matter what
mood you're in. They still want to give you big wet kisses, even if you've just
yelled at them. And they instantly forgive you no matter how you behave. Loving
others unconditionally is a difficult task, but it's the one that would surely
make the world a better place if we all just tried.
posting about doggies a bit
too often huh
