Get a Dog

Dear friend,

This past week, I signed and mailed more books. It's been beautiful outside and I've been running about six miles every day. The second week of the Ownership Accelerator went even better than the first. I got a plugin fragrance for my office and now I'm somehow transported to Hawaii every time I walk in. I mailed a few Vandal-Proof boxes to potential clients. It's been full.

Also, last Saturday was my stunning wife's dog's birthday. His name is Tucker. He's a 12-year-old golden retriever. He is super chill. He does not live with us. But she has an intimate relationship with him, that I suspect other dog owners have with theirs. It's really special. My kids had two dogs growing up, both small. The second one Annie, a Morkie, was their main dog from their childhood. She passed almost two years ago.

People are nuts about their pets. My great friend Sarah, who worked with me for years, had bunnies as pets, which fascinated me. When I've been out running this week, I ALWAYS pass someone, or multiple someone's, walking their dog. There are a huge variety of breeds, sizes, temperaments and appearances. Most of them are unappealing to me.

I like dogs. Certainly better than cats. But i'm not a "dog person." Observing the bond people foster with their loved animal is inspiring. And with the rise of the "emotional support pet" it's even more exaggerated. Pet owners project and receive a lot of feelings from their canine. I love the joy and serenity a pet enables. Literally the "petting" soothes both the human and pup.

BELLY RUB

We don't get that with other humans. I suspect that's the primary appeal with pets - they don't speak english. We get to interpret their every sound. And it is always positive. Even when we know the pet is not happy with us, we use a childish voice saying "ohhhhh, you're not happy with momma right now, are you?" And then pat their head or rub their belly. What if that was our strategy with humans?

I mean, I don't recommend rubbing bellies unless your married, but I do strongly suggest interpreting every interaction through a positive lens. It's so easy to do with pets and so hard to do with humans. We have an unending flow of grace for a dog who destroys, yet hold grudges with co-workers who are slightly annoying.

MINDSHIFT

What if you assumed the best and responded as your best, even if the human isn't doing their best?

STORY TIME

I believe a lot in the stories we tell ourselves, the interpreter we listen to and the filter impacting our perception. People say there are three sides to every story: My side, your side and the truth. That's not entirely accurate. Ask for an outsiders input and yet another perspective will appear. Even within ourselves. We see something one way now, but as time passes, we may interpret it differently. As we grow and change, we may reinterpret a scenario. When that happens it is more grace-filled and gracious, because humility tends to expand when we grow.

If by revisiting the past it becomes darker, we are shrinking, not growing. I know when looking back at my past choices, I remember what I was thinking then, but now realize how self-deceived I was. I regret that. I don't live in regrets, but I sure do have them. Which I hope has strengthened my character and enabled me to be more gracious and forgiving.

MINDSHIFT

What if you kept enough humility in difficult interactions to entertain the idea that the way you see it might not be completely accurate?

CHARACTER

I have a lot of personality. I think it serves me well and I know sometimes it doesn't. I once had a lady, who didn't know me, tell me I had a "persona" which I found offensive and insulting. Because what I like better than my personality, is my character. Integrity, honesty, reliability, follow through, responsible, accountable, available, considerate, generous, sincere and transparency serve me way better than my personality ever could.

Dogs possess the character traits we all aspire to.

Ask a dog owner to describe their four-legged-friend to you. They will ascribe character traits they themselves wish to possess or do possess. They will also reveal their deepest-held values. Without the ability to speak, dogs have become man's (and women's) best friend. If only we could transfer that persistent willingness to see the good, to the humans around us. We might be more generous in giving treats!

SHIFTING

I hope this week you interpret positively, give grace, get a belly rub and live fully aligned with your character. The pets and people are counting on you! #ShiftAway