Meditations A-B

Wagasana, greeting the day with gratefulness and curiosity!

Have you had a doga moment today!

Enlightened!

Amazement Awareness Authority Balance Barriers Beauty Boundaries Bills Breathing Business

See you dog’s amazing abilities to catch that ball, chase that chipmunk ...

Try this: If only ______________(name of dog, person) would _____________(what would you like), then

I could feel _______________(how).

A gentle dose of reality: Forget the top part and repeat, “I could feel ______________(how).

Whatever happens to or around us, does not define us for a lifetime. Only we have the power to do that. Liha-L-Ligo.

Amazement -- I am amazed at the infinite possibilities of living and learning with my dogs. I choose to learn something new every day and teach my dogs something new at least once a week and without judgment.

Awareness -- is the first step to creating positive change in my life and in relationship with my dogs.

Awareness | Prevention | Exchange A.P.E.: The key to changing any behavior is to first be Aware of it. The next is Preventing it from happening over and over again. Exchanging the behaviors we do not like in ourselves or our dogs, for ones that we do will relieve stress. It can create a sense of euphoria when we are struggling, to realize that the solution may be as simple as changing one little behavior like “watch-me.” We can enjoy our dogs more. This transitions to all areas of our lives (work, friends, family, self).

Authority -- I am the author of my life and teach my dogs with respect and understanding. I give myself permission to accept myself and my dog as individual beings. Before training, I get in touch with my inner wisdom, setting an intention for what I hope to achieve. I strive to be a pack leader, not a bully. The school of life is deeply fulfilling, as I come to know that we are all students and teachers. The response I get from my dog (or others) may be a direct reflection on how I am teaching.

Balance is a life long challenge and opportunity. I will conserve energy, learning how to save some for me and give to others.
I am the author of my life, so I can write a second, third or fourth edition, changing chapters as I learn new ways of balancing work with play. I cannot predict what each day will hold, so flexibility is a new friend. Planning, prioritizing and knowing that what I cannot get done today will be there tomorrow is a gift. Creating a system of A.B.C.'s that works for me will harmonize my life. Will it make a difference 10 minutes from now, 10-days, weeks, months or years if my dog chewed my shoes? Where were the shoes when my dog chewed them? If I am exhausted, stressed, angry or sad, my dog won't get mad if I take time to relax. Conversely, if I am angry, stressed, holding on to old rules when I begin training my dog, it will matter. Watching them will show us when it is time to stop, breathe, try something different or challenge ourselves for a longer sit/stay.

Barriers can become possibilities. Listen and observe. The gateways to wisdom and learning are always open. If I am in a room without a door, I will find a window. If there is no window, then I will create one. Blocks, obstacles and problems are personal teachers giving me the opportunity to consider a new way of being, teaching and this includes our dogs. Dogs live in the present. Trying to connect with them otherwise is a waste of energy. Holding onto old patterns create barriers preventing us from moving on. I can dissolve these barriers by opening my mind to possibilities. I give myself permission to take a few moments every day to sit or walk with my dog in peace, not training. Amount of time is of no concern to my dogs. Quality, patience and being genuine hold the key to dissolving the barrier and connecting with them.

Beauty is everywhere. Natural beauty glows from every dog and us. Sometimes we have to peel away the layers, but underneath is a shining coat. Dogs, nature, waking up thrills me. I can find relaxation, enjoyment and healing in the simplest things in life like watching my dogs sniff or toss a toy. When I look at nature with awe, gentleness and compassion, I find it easier to look with love at myself and my dog.

Boundaries are shields / guidelines that I create for myself. Boundaries help me enjoy healthy relationships with my dogs and others. Knowing when to say "no" without feeling guilty is personal growth. Expectations of others do not always have to be mine or my dogs. Boundaries can help me identify what I want and don't want. When others cross my personal boundaries, it is okay to calmly speak up. Teaching my dogs about boundaries like when to jump, bark, dig, what to chew gives them guidance on how to be in a human pack – my pack. They almost always want this too and comply if the message is clear.

Bills (Psyche Value Chart): “My bills are an affirmation of my ability to pay”, author Louise Hay. Whatever we have now is what we have chosen to buy. Often we buy to make ourselves feel good. I have learned to pay close attention to how long the "high" lasts after buying, and what is going on with me in the "now" when I buy. Do I need another pair of jeans. Do my dogs need another toy? Does it really matter if someone drives a Tahoe Hybrid and I drive a paid for Toyota? The good news is having bills that we pay, gives us long-term positive credit ratings for the future. Trusting yourself and taking a deep breath the next time you plan on buying something spontaneously will help you decide if this is a "really love, want it and can afford it" purchase. Take a peek at the Psyche Value Chart by Dr. Martha Beck. I can put buying into perspective, without judgment. While still having fun, I can buy something I really want or need, that will make me feel good for more than 5-minutes.

Breathing is essential to living. Where are we without it? I will breathe slowly into my belly to the count of 4, hold 4, and slowly exhale 1,2,3,4 ... Calming takes 12 seconds! We are made of energy and matter. Breathing affects how we feel and react in the moment, including our daily living with dogs. Dogs are extremely sensitive to changes in energy. Dogs sense thunderstorms before us. They sense our emotional reactions and watch our body language. When there are lifestyle changes, it affects them too. When we pause and breath before reacting, we become pro-active. We become healthier, reducing stress. Conscious breathing does not take a lot of time, and the benefits are powerful. Breathing is meditation, and this can be on the spot for 12 seconds or planned for hours. What stopping and breathing does is change the habitual state from being out of the body and trapped in the mind, to being in the body and present in the moment. You feel lighter, decisions come with clarity, and your dogs aren't afraid of you.

Dogs breathe easily -- observe them when they take a big long breath or sleep. We can learn from this. Panic breathing is shallow, fast and often results in feeling fright and fainting. The body needs us to inhale fresh oxygen slowly and thoroughly into our abdomen. Oxygen nourishes every joint, muscle and fiber of our being. Slowing inhaling, holding and exhaling gives us a moment of shear peace and relaxation. When we focus on our breath, such as short (or long) meditations, we see, hear and feel with more clarity and make informed decisions. Watch your dogs breathe. Listen. When they wake they take big deep breaths. When they are excited or see something in the woods, they freeze, holding their breath, then release when they get excited. Panting helps them regulate their body temperature and relieve stress. It does for us too. Try it again, slowly inhaling to a count of 4-8, holding for 4-8 (without judgment) and releasing (toxins and stress) from 4-8 seconds.

Business is a lifelong experience that flows from success to success. Whether working in big corporate, writing a book, or managing a small business, I trust my skills and the universe to provide guidance. If I need skills then I will learn them. I keep my mind open to opportunities, channeling my energy into working with intention. I trust in my choices to influence my business, which is doing something I am passionate about. Jobs, large or small, connect to a much bigger picture who identify us as individual, unique beings. Our dogs have a business too. They are here for us! As with any business, living and learning with dogs requires a bit of organizing, planning, implementing the plan, understanding, and making changes (flexibility).

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