Gretchen Rubin wrote in The Happiness Project about the year she spent “test-driving the wisdom of the ages, the current scientific studies, and the lessons from popular culture about how to be happy.” The Puppiness Project is my attempt to learn the same from Honey, my Golden Retriever.
Every time I cook a large meal, I cut myself. Well, sometimes I burn myself.
Cook without burning food, have everything ready at the same time, or keep from dying–I can do any two but not three at a time.
Despite knowing this about myself for almost 25 years, I continue to scatter my focus among different tasks and have the “ouchies” to show for it.
Honey does one thing at a time, every time. I’ve never seen her eat kibble while watching television. Or bark at squirrels while following a scent on the ground. Or play with a dog while practicing her sit stay. Honey is fully present in everything she does.
This week I will strive to imitate her.
Mindfulness Meditation is a practice involving focusing on one thing (often your breath) while acknowledging distractions but not allowing them to take over the practice. Honey is already a master at it.
Yes, but sometimes my would dog sit and stare at the wall. For, like, half an hour. Should I be staring at the wall? (However, the takeaway could be that I need to meditate, regardless of whether I’m literally looking at a wall. Those dogs… smart.)
Considering what some people stare at (on the TV), staring at the wall might not be too bad.
Ok, we have doggie yoga (doga). Maybe it’s time for true doggie meditation.
Oh my yes! I need to learn the same lesson from Honey as do you. Tell her thank you for the teaching 🙂
Honey says, “You’re welcome.”