How quickly a week goes by! I am already at Sunday Reflections and the end of my first week blogging. I didn’t get to post all of my backyard fun but thankfully I have time ahead to keep going and dreaming. It has been a week since I smelled the mountain air and sensed the dew in the meadow. Nature brings your senses alive allowing you to know that you are not alone in this incredible world. As I reflect back about my week, I think about how many things that I have learned from the trials of rising fears to the peace of a team hug. Breathe life and relax. As I was reflecting, my mind kept returning to our newest family member, Meadow. Maybe my mind returns to her quickly as she has to go outside ever 20 minutes or her calm presence at my feet while I work. Life as a puppy is free and full of wonder. Shouldn’t we look at puppies as a guide on how to live our own best life.

I stop and dream.

First, I must Love Unconditionally without thinking. She love us all for who we are no matter what and wants to be with everyone; every person she meets is a quick friend greeted with a puppy lick and enthusiastic hello. She loves without judgement and she just loves being herself. Wouldn’t it be great if we could do that in our world today. Love ourselves and love others.

I must Trust like Meadow. She trusts that she will be cared for my us, trusts that we will be there and love her. New to her surroundings this week, she was anxious and aware that life was different but she trusted that it would be ok.. By the end of the week she was sleeping on her back looking for a bellyrub. Total Trust! With a chronic disease, it is hard to trust the next moment or week but Meadow would and I want to live like her.

I must Explore. – Meadow is a true explorer where she literally tackles the world around her. She heads out into the big unknown and just goes for it! Puppies haven’t learned about where not to put their noses especially towards the cat or about busy roads but overall wouldn’t it be great to be so carefree that you just go and explore with your senses. Let go and explore like a puppy knowing that your family has your back to stop you from going into traffic.

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I want to Play and feel alive – be a puppy at play. Falling over and tumbling down bounding with energy with a desire to get right back up with a waging tail. Yes, some is due to their puppiness and youth but look at what we can we learn from watching them. Play makes us feel alive without feeling defeated. Life is fun and makes a smile. A lot research has been conducted on how smiling can positively lift your mood. Give it a try – I want to feel like a puppy.

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I must learn to Rest – Well, when it is time to rest – puppies just plop down where they can and take a break. They know when to stop and relax whether from fatigue or too much interaction with others. Listening to their bodies, they take time to rest which will quickly turn into another 20 minute burst of energy. I so need a puppy reminder to step back; listen to my body and have some ME time.

I must go on a puppy walk. Meadow’s walks are a time for her to smell and see what is around. So many times I arm working on our own problems, listening to media and not being in the moment that is right there. What plants are there, animals, other friends to meet, fun smells or other amazing parts of nature right in front of you? Being present gives your body time to relax and recharge – puppies are the ultimate at being present. They don’t anticipate except for the present moment that they are in – living life more carefree without dread.

I must value being with others. Meadow wags her tail when she sees Lego in the morning and quickly curls up with him for a nap to take a rest. Daily visits with Roo, our cat, are a time to say hello to one that hasn’t accepted her yet. The opportunity to love on Roo is never missed and she comes back each day for multiple encounters with a waging tail and an enthusiastic pounce. We then head out to see the girls – our chickens for a quick hello. Meadow loves to see everyone in the backyard. What if I could have that happiness when I see people that I feel aren’t so into seeing me? I need the spirit of Meadow to give me courage to keep going out, see people and reach out for relationships.

I must learn to love what is front of me. We have so many choices in our modern world; food especially where we live. Puppies aren’t picky. Meadow loves any food – maybe a little too much but I love how she tries new things and eats what is planned for her. I think if my diet for AIH was better I might fight my diseases’ inflammation better. I will blog on my diet later but life as puppy would make diets easier.

I think I could go on and on as she is curled up under my feet. Meadow is a breath of fresh air just like her name invites me to a place where peace and sweet smells can be found. As you go out this week, try a day, an hour, or even a minute as a puppy – it might just be the change that you need to feel free and alive.

As Meadow barks, Happy Father’s Day to all the dads out there. Meadow and I wish you a great day!