That’s right. The Hairy Sage is back from the mountains with more wise advice. He’s like Marcus Aurelius, if Marcus could lick his own balls.
My dog is now older, wiser, and positively vibrating with the kind of Zen-like insights that only come about once in a lifetime.
And here are the lessons he has taught me.
Click here for Part 1 and Part 2
Know Your Nemesis
Having an arch nemesis can be a powerful tool for self growth. Would Bruce Wayne have become Batman without the Joker? Probably not.
Having an arch nemesis or two helps to keep you pushing on, stay sharp, and constantly strive to better yourself.
My dog has two main nemeses – those bastard squirrels (his words) and the postman (the Amazon delivery driver is fine though, it’s just the postman).
Your nemesis doesn’t have to be someone ‘bad’, or even someone you dislike (my dog actually likes the postman). It’s just someone to pit your wits against, to try and out do. It doesn’t even matter if you never beat them. The simple act of trying invariably makes you better.
If I am running a race, I’ll pick some random bloke ahead of me and decide they are my nemesis. From that moment on my sole goal is to beat that person. We enter into a game of cat and mouse over the course of the race. A game that only I am aware is being played.
Having a friend who does the same stuff as you, especially if they are better at it than you, is a great nemesis to have. They are there to both support you, give you some friendly competition, as well as some ribbing after the event.
No one likes having enemies. But they can be the best motivation there is. If there is truly someone who gets your goat, or who knows exactly the thing to say to trigger you, then take it as a gift. Harness that power and use it to excel.
Find someone who spurs you on to greatness. Find yourself a nemesis.
Move Fast and Break Stuff
Waiting for the ‘right time’ to start a new endeavour often leaves us in our comfort zones, never making the first move towards our dreams.
The slow and gentle approach is rarely enough to overcome the inertia of fear that accompanies a new venture.
My dog understands this completely.
His advice? Move fast and break stuff.
When he sees a squirrel, he doesn’t stop to make out a plan of the best approach at squirrel catching. He acts.
He begins the chase with zero regard for whatever is around him. And absolutely no concerns for me screaming at him to come back.
By moving fast as soon as he sets his goal, he reduces any time there is to fret about the ‘what ifs’.
What if I fail? What if I look stupid? What if there is a massive bramble bush between me and that squirrel?
Move fast and break stuff!
Failing is just a part of success. We pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and keep moving forward.
My dog returns with bleeding, thorn tattered ears, and the look of sheer delight in his eyes.
Does he get the squirrel? Very rarely, if ever. But his rate of success is infinitely higher than if he never tried.
This is the very meaning of the word DOGGEDNESS.
Bottom line: The hardest part is starting, so don’t hang around. The real fun is in the pursuit, not the outcome, so stop worrying about striking out at times.
The Whiney Dog Gets The Bed
This is the canine equivalent of “the squeaky wheel gets the oil”.
You see, in todays world, where everything is streamed directly into our lives, and the whole world seems to be living their best life, it’s really easy for us to sink back into our surroundings.
Social media can leave you feeling like the most unsuccessful person around. We often end up with crippling imposter syndrome that makes us mute ourselves.
Stop doing this! Social media is a funhouse mirror. It’s not a true reflection of the world. Do not let it dim your light.
The world needs what you can do, and what you have to say. If you don’t pipe up and let us all know what you have to offer, then we can never ask for it.
My dog understands this perfectly.
Despite the fact that he has a sofa and an expensive dog bed, he insists on sleeping like a human. He doesn’t listen to the judgements of others (me!). He understands that the only way you get the things your want in life is to ask for them. And don’t stop asking for them.
Tenacity is key here. Keep pursuing your dreams with terrier-like determination. Blow your own trumpet. Let your light dazzle us.
To quote the film Coach Carter:
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate,
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.
Your playing small does not serve the world.There is nothing enlightened about shrinking
so that other people won’t feel insecure around you.We were all meant to shine as children do.
It’s not just in some of us, it’s in everyone.And, as we let our own light shine, we consciously give
other people permission to do the same.As we are liberated from our fear,
our presence automatically liberates others.
In short, stop playing small. Shine your light; your dazzling beauty. Shout your truth to the world. We all benefit from your success.
Follow Your Curiosity
There is a rustling in the bushes. Is a rabbit or is it a badger?
My dog’s approach – “Who cares? Let’s go!”
We humans are told from an early age what we should do. We should play within the confines of the system.
We should do well at the right subject at school to get into a good college, to get into a good university, to get a good job, to get on the property ladder, etc. etc.
And whilst that works for some, for many of us it leaves us living a life of mediocrity.
What is the alternative? Curiosity.
We are often taught to subdue our in-built, curious nature. “Curiosity killed the cat, ya know!”
My dog’s opinion of this is – while this may be true for cats; for dogs and humans it’s where life really begins.
When we follow our curiosity, we pursue the things in life that excite us and make us glow. When we allow ourselves the time to explore our true interests, our callings, the energy we tap into seems endless.
When you find and pursue ‘your thing’ you give it laser-like focus. You take it out of obscurity and brandish it like a beacon. And before you know it, others gravitate towards you because of it. Success so often follows on the footsteps of curiosity and passion.
If you don’t allow yourself to follow your curiosity, like a dog on a new scent, you may never find your passion.
In conclusion, follow your curiosity, regardless of what convention says. You might not end up where you expected, but you’ll be where you need to be.
There Is Always Time To Smell The Flowers
The hound appears to have 2 modes.
Full tilt, get shit done, hunting mode. Be that play, exploration, or ridding the world of squirrels, when we are working, we are working.
And total rest and relaxation, preferably on any surface that is not a pre-designated bed for dogs.
But looks can be deceiving. He always has time to stop and sniff the flowers.
We could be running on a fast paced descent and he will just stop dead, right in front of me, to catch the scent of a seemingly random bit of heather. Meanwhile, I am now tumbling head over heels down the mountain, screaming expletives.
Or it could be in a torrential downpour, and he’ll stop every eighth step to ponder the bouquet of every pavement weed on our ‘quick’ walking route.
The point he’s making is simple.
We live in an age of hustle porn, where grind culture is celebrated as the pinnacle productivity. And whilst he admires anyone who works like a dog, he feels that we humans often miss the small beautiful things in life.
In an age where, when we are not ‘doing something’, we are watching strangers on the interwebs ‘doing something’, we need to remember to stop and look around us.
We need to turn around and see how far we have come.
We need to look up and see the beautiful vista that is in front of us, but we have forgotten about.
We need to take note of the subtle cues given off by those around us.
We need to stop and smell the damned flowers.
These action are not urgent, so are easily ignored. But they are vitally important. These little nutritious snacks of awe and wonder make the grind more doable. They are the herbs and spices of what would be a dull and drab existence.
If it helps, I use the Plum Village bell of mindfulness app on my phone to remind me to pause and breathe.
The simple lesson is this: remember to stop and truly experience the world around you. Be a participant in life, not just someone who floats through it.
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