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Posts from the ‘Dogs’ Category

Nov 24

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Chief Fun Officer

“Gratitude bestows reverence, allowing us to encounter everyday epiphanies, those transcendent moments of awe that change forever how we experience life and the world.” – John Milton

When the day’s demands weigh heavy, simple moments pull me back to the anchor of gratitude. And a sudden awareness of all that is most important fills the space. When I stray off course to the past or the future, my CFOs (Chief Fun Officers) Lily and Molly straighten me out and show me how to let it go and lighten up.

May you be anchored in gratitude and celebrate Thanksgiving each day. And by all means, take the advice of your CFOs. Better yet, become one.

“Joy is the simplest form of gratitude.” – Karl Barth

“Joy is the simplest form of gratitude.” – Karl Barth

Nov 6

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Where Every Day is Friday

“Very little is needed to make a happy life; it is all within yourself, in your way of thinking.” – Marcus Aurelius

“The thankful receiver bears a plentiful harvest. “– William Blake

“The thankful receiver bears a plentiful harvest. “– William Blake

We often hear or say thank goodness it’s Friday. I try not to but must admit that some weeks I do. When we live Friday to Friday, vacation to vacation, we miss the joy that is to be harvested each day. Do something new, quietly reflect with deep gratitude, connect with others and by all means, play.

When we live right smack in the moment seeking goodness and light, every day is Friday.

Nov 2

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Bliss

“Nothing is more important than reconnecting with your bliss. Nothing is as rich. Nothing is more real.” – Deepak Chopra

Our life must be more than lists, tasks and the race to what’s next.  As we complicate our life with busyness in hot pursuit of who knows what, it is always the simple moments and encounters that bring us back to our best self, to meaning and joy, to our bliss.

Get off the rollercoaster and get grounded in what is calling to you. We all have it. That quiet voice, the gut feeling, the longing where our spirit and soul resides waiting to be released, to play and dance.

We need not know the end of the story. Write a sentence at a time and the story unfolds through the risk of movement leading us to our true north. Start with one word, a new thought, a simple act, a shift in perspective.

With practice and presence, the mundane transforms to marvelous, laughter to gratitude, simplicity to depth. We become masters of life through practice, ups and downs, wins and losses, work and most important, play.

“Follow your bliss and the universe will open doors where there were only walls.” – Joseph Campbell

“Follow your bliss and the universe will open doors where there were only walls.” – Joseph Campbell

 

Oct 19

Class Clown

“If by chance some day you’re not feeling well and you should remember some silly thing I’ve said or done and it brings back a smile to your face or a chuckle to your heart, then my purpose as your clown has been fulfilled.” – Red Skelton

“Only in spontaneity can we be who we truly are.” – John McLaughlin

“Only in spontaneity can we be who we truly are.” – John McLaughlin

Remember the kid in class who always made you laugh? The one who didn’t care if she got caught, she was just being herself, looking for a good laugh. The friend who pushed you to have some light-hearted fun and get into some trouble.

The “real world” needs more class clowns. We’ve become way too serious, too self-absorbed in our self-created problems of stress, busyness and “the race.” Lighten up, be silly and laugh more. Life is way way way too short to not enjoy the daily journey and bring others with you.

My golden retriever Lily is our lead clown, never missing an opportunity to make each day more fun for Molly and me. Molly sneaks in a few antics of her own too. She’s a good student of Professor Lily. I’m working on getting my grade point average up.

So go out today and pursue some silliness. It’s frivolous and irresponsible for sure. And we need it. Open the windows wide and stick your head out, skip down the hall, throw a ball and maybe even be so bold to chuckle.

Class Clowns unite.

“Reason, I sacrifice you to the evening breeze.” – Aime Cesaire

“Reason, I sacrifice you to the evening breeze.” – Aime Cesaire

Oct 1

Gestures

“All the art of living lies in a fine mingling of letting go and holding on.” – Havelock Ellis

“Life has no blessing like a prudent friend.” – Euripides

“Life has no blessing like a prudent friend.” – Euripides

Simple gestures often communicate more clearly than a thousand words. A glance, a smile, a hug speak volumes.

Our four-legged furry family members have mastered the art of gestures since it’s their only way to communicate. And perhaps that’s why they bring deep joy to our lives. They show us how to live lightly through their silliness, their ability to forget our shortcomings and love us unconditionally, their capacity for udder delight and their awareness of the present moment and all that it has to offer.

So when I need a good reminder of how to be a good friend, to be grateful for all of my blessings, to be more humane, I most often consult with Molly and Lily.

“Let there be no purpose in friendship save the deepening of the spirit.” – Khalil Gibran

“Let there be no purpose in friendship save the deepening of the spirit.” – Khalil Gibran

Be kind, gentle, forgiving, mindful of others and walk lightly through today. Your positive gestures will lift others in ways that you may never know but is so desperately needed. Cast light, warm the world.

Sep 1

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Living Abundantly

“Abundance is not something we acquire. It is something we tune into.” – Wayne Dyer

Abundance – it’s all around and overflowing, deep, wide and high. We shrink our world when we buy into the false premise of scarcity, losing our peripheral vision. There is plenty for all. Open your eyes, listen closely, tune in.

One of my four-legged blessings Lily reminded me tonight when she plopped down in front of me with bright eyes and a hearty smile. Time is never wasted when we spend it with those we love and we care about what we do and how we do it.

“If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.” – Wayne Dyer

“If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.” – Wayne Dyer

One of my favorite writers Wayne Dyer passed away this week. If you want to be motivated and moved, look up some of his quotes and books. May we all be remembered as one who dared to be a wide-eyed optimist, casting light rather than shadows.

“It’s never crowded along the extra mile.” – Wayne Dyer

Go the extra mile and spend your entire being living a good life, recklessly sharing the abundance of your spirit with the world.

Aug 24

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Simple Delight

“All around us is the cosmic game, the cosmic play. The universe is full of joy, inner and outer. When realisation takes place, we have to feel the necessity of manifesting this constant delight in our heart. The delight glows, but does not burn. It has tremendous intensity, but it is all softness and absolutely sweet-flowing nectar.” – Sri Chinmoy

Every morning without fail, Molly picks up a toy to lead Lily and me outside. She knows it makes me laugh every time. This morning, my sox were behind Lamby-boy too. She signals to Lily it’s time to start the day with play and simple delight.

“I've heard there are troubles of more than one kind; some come from ahead, and some come from behind. But I've brought a big bat. I'm all ready, you see; now my troubles are going to have troubles with me!” – Dr. Seuss

“I’ve heard there are troubles of more than one kind; some come from ahead, and some come from behind. But I’ve brought a big bat. I’m all ready, you see; now my troubles are going to have troubles with me!” – Dr. Seuss

Walk through today lightly. Be filled with gratefulness rather than grief. Leave behind smiles instead of sighs. Give more and you won’t need to take. It returns all on its own, tenfold.

Aug 4

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Surround

“To all the other dreamers out there, don’t ever stop or let the world’s negativity disenchant you or your spirit. If you surround yourself with love and the right people, anything is possible.” – Adam Green

“The past, the present and the future are really one: they are today.” – Harriet Beecher Stowe

“The past, the present and the future are really one: they are today.” – Harriet Beecher Stowe

Surround yourself with that which gives you joy. Ground yourself in simple joy and release that joy to the world. Life is filled with reminders of its brevity. Wake up and live fully each day with no guarantee of anything more. Surround, engage and multiple a life well lived. Now, no excuses, without constraint or delay. Dive deep, rise, float.

Jul 29

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The Whole Pie

“The thing that grounds you, and the thing that really gives you a sense of wholeness, is your family, friends and your community. Those are the things that can mirror back to you what you’re experiencing, and can affirm to you that the stories you are telling are true.” – Dan Chaon

After Sunday and Monday traveling for work with delayed flights and stuck for about 12 hours each day in airports waiting, I spent the last leg of the re-booked late Monday night flight not doing work, listening to music, watching the sun glow above the pillows of clouds as the moon entered, reflecting off the wing.

This year, I’ve traveled more for work than I have in the past three years combined. In addition, there have been a lot of family health issues and challenges – stage 4 breast cancer, Mayo Clinic trips, hip replacement, dog ACLs repairs, dog allergies and a roof replacement for 9 year old roof … and the list goes on.

Exhausted and on the verge of feeling sorry for myself, I started to scan all of the pictures on my iPad from the past seven months. And that simple exercise gave me the entire picture – vacations with friends and family, special moments, running events, a college graduation, birthdays and celebrations. I’ve got a GOOD life with wonderful people/dogs scattered through all of it.

We can easily focus on the slices of life that test our mettle, patience, faith and resolve. But when we look at the whole pie, we immediately discover the wholeness and holiness of our life. While we often don’t see it in the midst of the moment, challenges grow our soul and spirit, teaching us to let go of that which is not worthy of our desperate grip. We become more compassionate, less judgmental, more accepting, loving unconditionally and simply amazed.

When on the tipping point into the hole of self-pity, take a step back, a deep breath, be quiet, reflect and thank God for all of the blessings bestowed on us through grace alone. Life is as good as we allow it to be. Start living each day with a light heart, heavy joy and deep gratefulness. Eat the whole pie.

“Above all the grace and the gifts that Christ gives to his beloved is that of overcoming self.” – Francis of Assisi

“Above all the grace and the gifts that Christ gives to his beloved is that of overcoming self.” – Francis of Assisi

 

Jul 19

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Picking Up the Toy

“Life is always at some turning point.” – Irwin Edman

On the first trip outside this morning, Molly picked up a toy in the living room and proceeded to the back yard. She does this every morning, but this morning was special. She had surgery last Monday on a torn ACL from wear, tear and arthritis. She has about 10 inches of stitches on her inner knee and a metal plate screwed in to reconstruct the function. When I picked her up on Tuesday, she was looking pretty rough but anxious to get home.

“Love one another and help others to rise to the higher levels, simply by pouring out love. Love is infectious and the greatest healing energy.” – Sai Baba

“Love one another and help others to rise to the higher levels, simply by pouring out love. Love is infectious and the greatest healing energy.” – Sai Baba

She’s been pretty somber through the week, waking up, coughing, limping around, not herself. On Thursday morning, I took her back to have them check out her coughing and it turned out she has pneumonia often caused by anesthesia.

All week, Lily has been keeping an eye on her like a hawk. Patiently waiting for her best friend to feel better and be ready to play again. The toy pick up this morning signaled that Molly is feeling better and ready to bring play back. She’s coughing less and her eyes are brightening up.  She’s on the mend and I wouldn’t expect anything else from her. She’s a combination of tough and sweet with a side of attitude.

During difficult times, we often think they won’t end or it will get worse. As we move through the waiting and worrying, healing is happening, what’s next is being written, it’s all unfolding as it is meant to be. Even though it may not feel that way, it’s reassuring to know that it will be ok soon, that we’ll be able to pick up the toy again.

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