Reclaim Your Inner Dog
News Flash: Blossum is a happy dog; a genuinely happy dog. And I’m not talkin’ “today’s a pretty good day happy.” No sirree! Blossie’s state of mind ("do dee do dee do”), is a moment by moment march of joyousness and good cheer happily welcoming whatever appears on her path. She prances down the street, white-tipped tail waving in the wind, and her carriage proclaims “Ommmm……All is well in my world.”
I want some of that self-confident Inner Dog attitude, don’t you? “Shanti, shanti, shanti” Blossie murmurs, her solid inner peace reflecting nothing of the outer calamity surrounding us.
Displaying an ear-to-ear Mona Lisa grin, The Divine Dog reminds me once again it’s all going to be OK, and I want to believe her. Blossie, the canine Pollyanna, can transform “sad to glad” with a carefree fling of her noble ears as she embraces nirvana with a soft “woof,” a nod to the Universe.
On the other end of the spectrum, being a mere human, I struggle daily for fresh air amid the chaos that threatens to erode my soul with every news report and dose of reality. Do you know what I mean? Out of sheer desperation, I turn to my muse, the (if you’ll pardon the term) personification of delight and glee, and ask her “Blossie, give us a peek behind the curtain….puhlllleeezzee!!?!”
“Mommy, I can share my recipe, but I can’t make the cake rise.” Huh!?!? Now she’s talking in metaphors…jeez.
“Keep it really simple for us Bloss,” I beg her, “we’re not firing on all four cylinders right now.”
After an extended eye roll (“You humans need sooooo much help!”), here’s the Dharma according to Blossum, as dictated to me, word for word:
Frolic mindfully and wag your tail often.
Practice loving kindness and loving friendliness, especially if someone gives you a treat! And if they don’t, smile anyway.
Develop compassion for those who those whose lives are different than yours. Accept your Inner Hound and respect their Inner Shih Tzu.
Practice mutuality. Let those who’s butts you sniff, partake of yours as well.
Appreciate what you have. Thank the Universe for your gifts. Me? I’m grateful for 3 squares and a chewy.
Practice generosity …. if you share your treats, more will come back to you ten fold.
Be of service. If someone drops chicken on the floor, be willing to clean up the mess.
Trust your intuition and your insight. D-O-G is illuminating your path.
Walk slowly and pay attention to your senses…sight, hearing, taste, touch….and especially smell!
Listen to all the teachers that show up for you: owls, children, rain, rabbits, trees and crows. Hear their guidance.
“Well, that’s it,” she says, and smiles.
“Uh, OK then.”
I know the time has come for me to reclaim my inner dog. Let’s try the recipe. It seems to work just fine for Blossum.
