In my post, The Journey Of A Thousand Miles, I wrote, “I believe we should live fully, be awake and aware, while traveling on our journeys and not be so concerned about the destination.”
This evening, while sitting by our fire pit, with our pack of dogs, my muse delivered this post to me, so here it goes.
I’m becoming well skilled in the art of rolling with the changes, because I’ve learned through experience that plans can change at any minute.
Meet Tux.
He is a male Samoyed who has temporarily rejoined our pack. He used to be a permanent member of our family, but for reasons that are beyond the scope of this post, he now lives with very dear friends of ours.
He usually comes for a visit once a year while his family takes a Christmas vacation. He is currently staying with us while his family is in the process of moving to a new town. Anyway…
Every day, Tux goes to the side yard, stands at the chain link fence gate, and looks toward the driveway. He is probably wondering “Is my family here to pick me up ?”
His plan is to go back home. However, a quick “Tux, come!” and he gallops through the yard with his tongue lolling as he seems to smile.
“Yeah, I’m here. What are we doing? Ooh, is that a ball? Throw the ball. Throw the ball.”
He’s already forgotten about missing his permanent family. You see, he rolls with the changes. He lives in the moment.
He has his moments, like longing for his family and waiting at the gate. But that’s it. They are just moments that come and go. He doesn’t wallow in despair.
Every day, he has his moment at the gate. And every day he has his moments of goofiness, fun, neediness, affection, and love.
You know, all the things that dogs do best.
It’s been nice to have him as a part of our family again, even if for a little while. He got to reunite with Allie Boo, his first girlfriend. He got to see his “children” from two litters of puppies that he sired. He has even remembered some of his old routines like begging for ice cubes from the refrigerator.
I don’t think I’ve ever met, or owned, a dog that has displayed as much “attitude of gratitude” as Tux. He is a happy boy, even if it just means sitting in the yard and doing nothing.
He is always present and in the moment. Always awake and alert. Always ready to roll with the changes.
What a wonderful teacher!
As REO Speedwagon sings, “You got to, you got to, keep on rolling. Ohhhh, roll with the changes.”
Be Kind. Be Thankful. Be Significant.
Peter
