I was watching my dog Thor this morning. He’s a puppy still and filled with abundant energy. However, my schedule requires him to wait patiently while I go through my daily routine of prepping for work and then working.
As I sat sipping my morning tea on the sofa with him, I could see the sadness in his eyes. He knew he had to wait, but he wasn’t happy about it. Then, at noon, when I take a lunch break, it’s play time. We go out by the pool, and he chases the ball, dives in after it and is filled with the most overwhelming joy. It seems almost a crime to make him wait.
I understand because in the past I was one of the most impatient people in the world. And then I got Fergy. Fergy was supposed to be my school master for dressage training. Unfortunately, after having her with me for two weeks, she started having all kinds of problems. A hormonal imbalance that took six months to overcome, then just as we were getting back in the groove, lameness occurred, and it never really went away. I was beside myself, wanting her to heal so we could get back at it. And then it dawned on me that she came into my life to teach me not only patience, but the value of loving another creature for who she is today. Not what she could be or what she should be; just who she is.
I think that really is what patience means. Living in the moment. Rejoicing in the small victories, like Thor’s daily poolside romp. Is that fair? No, life isn’t fair. But, we have to learn to adjust to new situations, make the best of what comes and learn to improve our situations.
Through long-term care and patience, and a great trainer, Fergy finally recovered enough for me to train on her. She even got back in the show arena. But, she was never the same. It didn’t matter. We reveled in the small victories. She lived with me for almost 13 years, and then she left me. Her heart just stopped, and she was gone. I think she knew she had accomplished her purpose.
You know, I could have continued to always be an impatient person. I’ve written about my forays of impatience before. But, I discovered that there’s a better way. Take what life deals you; take the consequences of your choices; take those situations and improve upon your life. Ranting and raving doesn’t change anything, Positive action does.
As for Thor, he’s learning how to bide his time for those moments of joy that we earn together. Honestly, I enjoy his happiness so much that we’re starting to have more and more of them. And, you know what? Those breaks make me better at my work, because I return to my desk refreshed and, yes, happy.
Til Next Time,
Carol
As I sat sipping my morning tea on the sofa with him, I could see the sadness in his eyes. He knew he had to wait, but he wasn’t happy about it. Then, at noon, when I take a lunch break, it’s play time. We go out by the pool, and he chases the ball, dives in after it and is filled with the most overwhelming joy. It seems almost a crime to make him wait.
I understand because in the past I was one of the most impatient people in the world. And then I got Fergy. Fergy was supposed to be my school master for dressage training. Unfortunately, after having her with me for two weeks, she started having all kinds of problems. A hormonal imbalance that took six months to overcome, then just as we were getting back in the groove, lameness occurred, and it never really went away. I was beside myself, wanting her to heal so we could get back at it. And then it dawned on me that she came into my life to teach me not only patience, but the value of loving another creature for who she is today. Not what she could be or what she should be; just who she is.
I think that really is what patience means. Living in the moment. Rejoicing in the small victories, like Thor’s daily poolside romp. Is that fair? No, life isn’t fair. But, we have to learn to adjust to new situations, make the best of what comes and learn to improve our situations.
Through long-term care and patience, and a great trainer, Fergy finally recovered enough for me to train on her. She even got back in the show arena. But, she was never the same. It didn’t matter. We reveled in the small victories. She lived with me for almost 13 years, and then she left me. Her heart just stopped, and she was gone. I think she knew she had accomplished her purpose.
You know, I could have continued to always be an impatient person. I’ve written about my forays of impatience before. But, I discovered that there’s a better way. Take what life deals you; take the consequences of your choices; take those situations and improve upon your life. Ranting and raving doesn’t change anything, Positive action does.
As for Thor, he’s learning how to bide his time for those moments of joy that we earn together. Honestly, I enjoy his happiness so much that we’re starting to have more and more of them. And, you know what? Those breaks make me better at my work, because I return to my desk refreshed and, yes, happy.
Til Next Time,
Carol
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