Thoughtful Thursday – Being In The Moment

This post is a reminder of how our dogs live in the moment and what we can learn from them.  Dogs are in the moment.  The moment.  They aren’t thinking about dinner, wondering how far we are going to have to walk, or wishing they would have brought their phone or ipod.  They are full of awareness of the myriad of scents, sights and sounds as they take each step.

It reminds me of the study on gorilla behavior while in the wild.  If a gorilla is walking through the forest and sees bananas in a tree, they will then look for a stick to use to reach the bananas.  A gorilla has never been observed to pick up a stick and walk through the forest in the event they may later find bananas to eat.  You might be thinking that it’s good to prepare and that’s what separates us from animals.  I agree – to a point; however, they have the added benefit of not worrying about what comes next. . .how about you?

Zoe is exuberant about her walks and meeting people.  She stops to smell the roses along the way (okay – maybe the scent is not actually from a rose).  One moment, I’m joining her in appreciation and observation of what is around me and the next moment I’m thinking about what to buy at the store later this evening or I get lost in the concerns of the economy.  The point is to challenge ourselves to take a thirty minute walk with our dogs (or with a two-legged companion) and see if we can stay in the moment for the entire time.  I am working on it, and it is a practice.  Thanks to Zoe (and wonderful friends), I have great teachers.

It’s thoughtful Thursday – take a walk even if it’s from your work to your car and see if you can stay in the moment.  It’s an amazing way to live – just ask your dog.