I have been reminded lately by my dog,Charlie, about taking the time to live in the moment. Charlie and I spend an evening every week at dog (personally I think it is people) training class. For the past several months Charlie and I have gone to "school" to learn how to work as one unit in whatever we do together. In a few days, our togetherness is going to be put to the test as I have signed us up to take the Therapy Dog test.
This test consists of 10 different phases that the handler and dog are put through to prove them trustworthy to be in situations with vulnerable children or adults in various places, such as schools, nursing homes, prisons etc. Some of the things that will be required of us is to have Charlie walk beside me without pulling, be able to allow another person to groom him, be able to wait patiently with a stranger while I leave the room for 3-5 minutes. And finally the true test of Charlie's attention to me, his handler... being able to walk a circle around a bowl of fresh cooked chicken without paying the cooked chicken any attention.
As the test grows closer, I have found myself not too worried about whether we will pass or not. You see, Charlie lives in the moment. He knows the words and when they are spoken, he knows what he is supposed to do and most of the time he does just as he is told. He has made listening to me his job. He doesn't fret or worry about how well he is listening. He just takes my lead and whatever I am conveying to him down the leash and through my tone and body language, he will pick up and comply. So if I want him to succeed, I am the one who will need to work "in the moment". If I look behind at the times in the past that we weren't the well oiled, lean, mean dog training machine we could have been, I will surely fail with Charlie. If I look out into the future of "what ifs", I will not be able enjoy the moment with Charlie during the test. Right now, right here....that is the moment I choose to live in.
As I go through my day, let me see what is right before my eyes. Allow me to see the beauty of each and every moment. Keep my focus on the here and now, without looking too far ahead or too far behind. Let me live in life's moment.
This test consists of 10 different phases that the handler and dog are put through to prove them trustworthy to be in situations with vulnerable children or adults in various places, such as schools, nursing homes, prisons etc. Some of the things that will be required of us is to have Charlie walk beside me without pulling, be able to allow another person to groom him, be able to wait patiently with a stranger while I leave the room for 3-5 minutes. And finally the true test of Charlie's attention to me, his handler... being able to walk a circle around a bowl of fresh cooked chicken without paying the cooked chicken any attention.
As the test grows closer, I have found myself not too worried about whether we will pass or not. You see, Charlie lives in the moment. He knows the words and when they are spoken, he knows what he is supposed to do and most of the time he does just as he is told. He has made listening to me his job. He doesn't fret or worry about how well he is listening. He just takes my lead and whatever I am conveying to him down the leash and through my tone and body language, he will pick up and comply. So if I want him to succeed, I am the one who will need to work "in the moment". If I look behind at the times in the past that we weren't the well oiled, lean, mean dog training machine we could have been, I will surely fail with Charlie. If I look out into the future of "what ifs", I will not be able enjoy the moment with Charlie during the test. Right now, right here....that is the moment I choose to live in.
As I go through my day, let me see what is right before my eyes. Allow me to see the beauty of each and every moment. Keep my focus on the here and now, without looking too far ahead or too far behind. Let me live in life's moment.
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