I probably shouldn’t admit this, but there are some blogs that I just can’t wait to read. When I sign into my google reader I go straight for those blogs. Of course I won’t tell you which ones I read first, because that would be like telling one of your kids that you liked them better than the other. 🙂
I’m going to go on record right now saying, I want to be your favorite blog in your google reader, and I plan on working hard to make it so.
I’m loving the “Be The Dog” slogan, that’s all I’ve thought about since yesterday. There are so many lessons we can learn from our dogs, not least of which is not to project what is going to happen, but to live in the now.
We all know dogs are not linear thinkers, they do not have the capabilities of projecting (or anticipating if you will) what will happen next.
There have been a couple of times while out walking where I’ve lost Sampson. Usually it is because he has seen or smelled something and run off to investigate. In the meantime I have continued walking but Sampson doesn’t understand the concept that I was here and now I’m there. He cannot project where I will be upon his return. He only knows where I was when he left me. Sampson lives in the now.
As you know Delilah has run off on me a number of times, the worst (for me) being the day she got stuck under someone’s air conditioner. Delilah does not project the outcome when she runs off. All she knows is there is something far more exciting than whatever it is that I have in my treat bag. She does not project that if she runs off, on our next walk she will be on leash and not allowed those freedoms. Delilah lives in the now.
We need to learn to live in the now. To not project what will happen if we write that slightly controversial blog post, or submit a query letter to an agent. You will never know unless you try.
When you are older, sitting on the porch in your rocking chair telling stories to your great-grand children let them be stories about things you’ve accomplished, don’t let them be regrets for not having tried.
If it is something you want to do, just DO IT. Don’t be afraid about what might happen. Don’t put that kind of restriction on yourself, live in the now.
Don’t Project – Be The Dog.
That sounds remarkably like you’re encouraging us all to run away! Unfortunately my mortgage leash has a good hold of me otherwise I’d be off!
There IS something I’ve wanted to do for more than 9 years and I still can’t make myself do it because I’m scared, and that’s walking on my hands. Time is running out for me and it’ll be a regret for sure on my death bed.
On the other hand, I like having intact hip bones and a working spine.
Good advice. Well I always try to stop by here first (even though I am usually a day or so late…lol).
I’m such a compulsive planner that it’s hard for me to think about now. I do admire dog though with no to do lists.
Now you are going to have all of us on a constant speculation as to who is on the list of “first reads”
That is great advice Jodi–especially the part about seizing the day and writing controversial blog posts! 🙂
In my real life I find that I am generally full of controversial things to say and do….but on my blog, I’m much less inclined to be such a boat rocker. Now why is that? You’ve inspired me to look a little deeper and see if that’s something that needs to change.
I do find that I enjoy most the blogs that aren’t afraid to stir things up a bit…but I find that the blogs with scads of commenters and followers tend to be those that are less controversial. So the key question, as always in any act of activism or social change work, is how to say what needs to be said without alienating…how to walk the tightrope between saying what needs to be said and saying what people want to hear.
Now how’s that for anticipatory thinking? I think your dogs have got the right idea–stop thinking and just do it. Another thing to think about–thanks for another provocative post Jodi! Yours is definitely one blog I look forward to!
Agreed! If only it was as easy to put into practice as it is to believe. Sometimes though, I think it’s a good thing we don’t always just do the first thing that comes into our heads. I get all these insane ideas for things and feel so good about them in the moment but with a bit of time I realize how impractical or potentially harmful they are. There are a great many things I would regret doing if I just let myself go all out all the time. However, I have to admit, there are far more things I wish I’d done than otherwise. 😛
Hey Jodi,
I couldn’t agree more – you’ve sure got my vote for living in the ‘now’ – I couldn’t imagine it any other way – it’s SO much fun!!
Hope you’re having a fun day 🙂
Your pal Snoopy 🙂
I can’t tell you how many times I felt exactly how you did when Delilah got stuck under the air conditioner!!!! I’ve had more humiliating incidents when Mazzie than I can count or care to retell. It’s so good to know I’m not alone on that front. Not projecting will always be a struggle for me because I was born neurotic, but I try to become a little more fearless every day.
You are one of my favorites Jodi! By the way, ‘I am the dog’ 🙂