Be Doglike
The Art of Living Like a Dog...
I sometimes think the world would be a better place if people acted more like dogs - which led me to create this simple poem:
Be silly,
be energetic,
be selfless,
be resilient,
be compassionate,
be forgiving,
be loyal,
be loving…
Be Doglike.
It’s been said that a dog’s life is the best life - and there is something to this. What if we did want to live life more like our dogs? What would that look like? How could we achieve that? Here are my thoughts.
Live in the moment: Dogs live in the moment; they are not thinking about the past or future (as far as we know). They are living for now, and that is something a lot of us could benefit from!
Love unconditionally: There might be a sniff test - but that’s about all a dog needs, or cares about, to know about you and to love you. There isn’t a long list of requirements about who you are, where you work, how much money you have, or your beliefs. If you pass the sniff test—and everyone does - you’re in. No questions asked.
Enjoy the little things: Nothing makes Lew happier than getting his belly rubbed or Moses having his ears scratched. It’s important to know the little things that make you happy and enjoy them. Life moves so fast for us humans that you actually have to stop and think about what the little things are and notice when they are happening - like when I am sipping an afternoon coffee and nibbling on a square of dark chocolate. Little things can equal joy.
Be Yourself: You’ve never seen a dog agonizing over who they are or who they are becoming. They simply are themselves. Enough said.
Forgive and Forget: Okay - this is easier said than done for most of us, but we can really learn from dogs here. You’ve never heard of a dog holding a grudge - and they are happier for it. They don’t hold resentment, and they are happier and lighter-hearted because of it.
Stay curious: Dogs are curious by design. They always seem to welcome new experiences - from playing to adventure to trying new things. There is a lot to be said about curiosity. It can keep our minds nimble and help us stay young at heart and open to new experiences, just like our dogs.
Dogs love deeply, live fully, and find happiness in the here and now. We can all take a page from their playbook and create a world that’s a little kinder, a little happier, and a lot more joyful. We just need to be doglike.
How the image above almost was lost forever…